Kate Garraway shared her harrowing journey as her husband Derek Draper battled with Covid-19, experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions and uncertainties. In March 2020, Kate revealed she had noticed symptoms in Derek and he was taken to the hospital where he remained unresponsive in intensive care. As the months went by, Kate and her children isolated at home while Derek fought for his life, with Kate emphasizing that the journey seemed far from over as new challenges arose.
By June 2020, Kate shared the news that Derek was free from coronavirus, but still faced a long road to recovery due to the damage inflicted on his body. Throughout the year, Derek continued to show signs of progress, first waking from his coma in July, followed by physical improvements albeit at a slow pace. In August, Kate reassured viewers that Derek was still with them, despite facing uncertainties about his recovery, which could take years.
As the months passed, Derek became the longest surviving Covid-19 patient after spending 184 days in intensive care, losing significant weight in the process. Kate returned to work to provide support for her family and Derek, as she announced her return to her radio show so Derek could hear her voice. By the end of 2020, Kate missed work due to her children being exposed to the virus, and she struggled through a challenging Christmas without Derek by her side.
In 2021, Kate continued to share updates on Derek’s progress, including moments such as him speaking for the first time in seven months and no longer needing a ventilator to breathe. However, by July, Derek experienced a downturn and was re-admitted to the hospital. Kate’s commitment to caring for Derek was evident as she faced the difficulties of handling his long-term battle with Covid-19.
In early 2022, Kate offered a glimpse into her daily struggles of caring for Derek in a documentary, showcasing the challenges they faced. By July of that year, Derek took a serious turn for the worse, prompting Kate to pull out of hosting duties to be by his side. The family faced setbacks as Derek suffered sepsis and was in critical condition, with Kate expressing fear and uncertainty about his future.
Tragically, in January 2023, Kate announced Derek’s passing after three years of battling the consequences of Covid-19. She expressed her gratitude to the medical teams who fought to save him and shared her plans to speak more about Derek in the future. The loss of Derek was a devastating blow to Kate, who had been by his side throughout his long battle with the virus.
