Holbrook Woman, 75, Recovers From Coronavirus, Is Discharged

COMMACK, NY — Lorraine Barkell, 75, of Holbrook was discharged Friday from Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Commack after successfully completing coronavirus-related rehabilitation, the rehab center said in a news release. She recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

Gurwin staff who treated her since her arrival from Southside Hospital in Bay Shore flanked her sides as she slowly walked to the front door of the rehabilitation facility. A cheering crowd of Gurwin staff members lined the facility’s hallways, as Journey’s "Don’t Stop Believin’" blared on the public address system.

"I’m going home!" Barkell said, according to the release, as she was met at the front door by her daughter and son-in-law, who escorted her home.

Video courtesy Gurwin Healthcare System

Barkell, one of many patients admitted to Gurwin for rehabilitation, was transferred from Southside Hospital as part of a New York State Department of Health mandate that nursing homes admit otherwise appropriate, medically-stable patients, according to the rehabilitation center.

"This battle against COVID-19 has been filled with challenging moments," Stuart B. Almer, president and CEO of Gurwin Healthcare Services, said via release. "[Friday's] successful discharge of one of our rehabilitation patients is a high point for all of us."

Gurwin runs a 460-bed nursing and rehabilitation community at 68 Hauppauge Road, Commack, with more than 800 employees, as well as an assisted living community on the same 34-acre campus with an additional 100 employees.