Rockville Centre Man Who Battled Coronavirus Leaves Hospital

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — A Rockville Centre resident got a hero's send-off Monday. Michael Williams was discharged from Catholic Health's Mercy Hospital after battling COVID-19.

Williams, 59, was hospitalized since Feb. 1, marking an 85-day stay for his illness and recovery.

"At the beginning, it was hard to fight to get better," Williams said via news release. "I was so sick that I just didn’t have the fight in me. I almost gave up but my wife and kids served as an encouragement to get better. The staff at Mercy also pushed me every day and reminded me I have so much to live for. I am so thankful to God, to them and to all my loved ones for helping me get where I am today."

Williams was stricken with COVID-19 in January, and as his condition worsened, he had trouble breathing, walking or talking.

Williams, a 17-year U.S. Army veteran, was sent home with his family at his side, including his wife, children and grandkids. Nurses and others joined the celebration in the hospital's lobby to send Williams off with well wishes.

He was cared for by several departments, including critical care, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care and respiratory.

Upon leaving the hospital, Mercy Hospital staff sent Williams home with bubbles to practice his breathing.