Basingstoke teenager wakes from coronavirus-induced coma on her 16th birthday

A teenager from Basingstoke has been reunited with her family, after waking up from a coma caused by coronavirus on her birthday.

Marisa Bappoo spent 10 days in an induced coma on a ventilator at Southampton General Hospital, before regaining consciousness on her 16th birthday.

Her family said the staff are "heroes and they do a brilliant job."

  • WATCH: 16-year-old Marisa talks about her experience in hospital with coronavirus

Marisa Bappoo first started experiencing symptoms at the end of March.

Her condition deteriorated and she was taken to hospital to be put on a ventilator.

She was then moved to intensive care at Southampton General where staff decided to put her into an induced coma.

Marisa's mother Anita was allowed to spend a few days with her after she woke from the coma

She said: "I remember mum holding my hand, then they were putting me to sleep and from that point I don't remember anything.

"They said I was going to be asleep for two weeks, then I woke up after 10 days on my 16th birthday.

"The nurses were really good, they comforted me, they held my handing saying everything's going to be alright."

  • WATCH: The moment Marisa returns home

After spending a few extra days in hospital, Marisa was able to return home, arriving just in time for the 8pm Clap for Carers - with the whole street turning out to celebrate her return.

"I can't praise the nurses and doctors enough at Southampton General, they've been terrific," said Roshan, her father.

"They are heroes and they do a brilliant job."

The whole family have now set up a fundraiser for the paediatric intensive care unit at Southampton General Hospital to say thank you.

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