It was an emotional moment for all concerned as Henry Lowther left the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's ward 25.
At 92 years old and with other health problems to battle, a coronavirus diagnosis could have meant the end for Henry.
But with the help of "amazing" staff at the Gateshead hospital he's battled though it, and is now back at his Dunston home.
As Henry left the ward, nurses, doctors and other staff all lined up to cheer him on his way, celebrating his recovery.
Though he's still recovering from the "awful" virus, Henry says he's feeling "much better", and has shared his thanks to the NHS workers who helped him get through it.
After falling ill at home, Henry gradually got to the point where he was unable to eat, and called his doctor. Paramedics were sent to bring him to hospital, where he spent just under two weeks recovering, although he avoided having to have intensive care ventilation.
He said: "Once the doctor came round and I was rushed straight to hospital it was just one thing after another, it all started moving very quickly.
"Having the virus is an absolutely vile feeling, I just couldn't look at food, I didn't eat anything at all. It was a terrible sensation and I felt very very weak. I'm still getting over it now.
"It was frightening actually, you don't know what's going to happen.
"But the care I got, was second to none. Everything was first name, the attention you got, you couldn't fault it, the staff are absolutely first class."
Ward manager Carly Sinclair, who oversees the staff who treated Henry, said: "Henry is amazing, he's just fantastic.
"It's just a fantastic feeling for staff when we get to send someone home - we were crying yesterday as we got to see him out."
