Sir Kenny Dalglish has praised staff at Southport Hospital after being diagnosed with coronavirus while being treated there.
King Kenny, widely regarded as Liverpool FC’s greatest ever player, said: “I’d just like to thank the doctors, nurses and all the staff for looking after me. They were absolutely brilliant.”
He was discharged from hospital yesterday and is now recuperating at his home in Southport.
And he has urged people across the UK to stay at home and respect government advice to stop the spread of the killer Covid-19 disease.
Sir Kenny was admitted to hospital on Wednesday for treatment for an infection after developing a gallstones problem.
Despite not showing any symptoms of coronavirus, as a new hospital admission the 69-year-old was given a routine test which came back positive.
When the news broke on Friday, the former Scotland international was inundated with messages from around the globe.
He said: “It’s never easy being in hospital but when you are in the care of our NHS staff then it is wholly comforting and you know you are in good hands.
“I had been in the Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust for a couple of days because I had felt very unwell at home during the week.
Southport Hospital
“I’m not one for making a fuss – especially in the current climate – but knew something wasn’t right. So, I went to the hospital to be checked over. Turns out I had gallstones.
“When I arrived at the hospital, as a matter of course, I was also swabbed for coronavirus and the result came back positive. I am asymptomatic as I experienced no symptoms of the virus.
“I had been self-isolating in the house for a few weeks so I’m honestly not sure how I got it.
“I was released from hospital yesterday lunchtime and I’m back home. I’ll self-isolate for another seven days or so. I’ll be resting but I am feeling fine, thankfully.
“The amount of good wishes and messages of support the family and I received in the past 48 hours was very humbling. It meant a lot to me, Marina, our children and grandchildren.
Upload a funny clip and make us smile during Covid-19 lockdown
“I’d just like to thank the doctors, nurses and all the staff for looking after me. They were absolutely brilliant.”
The UK has been in lockdown for almost three weeks with the period further extended as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic.
And Sir Kenny has urged people to remain indoors to help stop the virus spreading further.
“The message from the government for the past three weeks has been to stay indoors and help save lives,” he said, writing in his column for the Sunday Post.
“Let’s make sure we all do that and follow the rules. We want the country to have some form of normality back as quickly as possible.
“Being true to the guidelines and not abusing the leeway given to us will help us get there that wee bit quicker. The NHS is under enough pressure without anybody adding to it unnecessarily.
“If we all do our bit in the coming days and weeks then we can look forward to getting back to work.”
Sir Kenny Dalglish scored 172 goals in 515 appearances for Liverpool FC and then guided them to three league as manager.
He said: “People may think the Dalglish name got me in and got me the best of care. Not so.
Urgent NHS PPE appeal launched by firm in battle against Covid-19
“I was looked after because the NHS staff treat everyone the same. They look upon everyone as human beings. Names and backgrounds don’t come into it. That’s the way it should be.
“The Dalglish family has always had the utmost respect for the NHS and the work they do. Being a patient in a hospital the past couple of days has only reinforced that for us with their knowledge, professionalism and compassion.
“As a nation, we are all very fortunate to have them and I wish them all well as they work tirelessly to help the country through this pandemic.”
