A Maryland couple looking forward to their 73rd anniversary are at a rehabilitation center for physical therapy after spending three weeks in separate hospitals with COVID-19.
“It’s a miracle that they survived,” Mark Levin said about his parents, 100-year-old Betty and 98-year-old Joe Levin.
The couple had high fevers and respiratory problems and tested positive for COVID-19.
“I was shocked,” Mark said. "It was a gut punch.”
Medics picked up the couple from their Silver Spring apartment building three weeks ago.
“To see them deteriorate so quickly and have to be rushed to the hospital was devastating,” Mark said.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Betty was taken to Holy Cross Hospital, and Joe was taken to Suburban Hospital, where he was in intensive care for a few days.
“Two separate hospitals because they couldn’t be together,” Mark said.
After three weeks, doctors released them a couple days ago.
“It’s unbelievable,” Mark’s wife, Alicia, said. “It’s a miracle.”
“What are the odds of a 100-year-old and a 98-year-old surviving this insidious disease?” Mark said.
Coronavirus Cases in DC, Maryland and Virginia
COVID-19 cases by population in D.C. and by county in Maryland and Virginia
Source: DC, MD and VA Health Departments
Credit: Anisa Holmes / NBC Washington
“I think we’re going to win against the disease, both of us,” Joe said.
Mark and Alicia thank the doctors and nurses at Suburban and Holy Cross this holiday season.
“We have something even better to celebrate, the survival — and hopefully moving forward — of our parents,” Mark said.
Joe and Betty will have physical therapy for weeks here at the rehabilitation center. They want to be strong and healthy when they celebrate their 73rd wedding anniversary next month.
The Levins said they don’t know how they contracted the virus and were being very careful.