Jonathan Davila, 30, of Addison, reunites with his family Tuesday after a 44-day stay for COVID-19 at Elmhurst Hospital. His wife, Ashley King, holding son Elijah, 6 months, and stepson Daniel Hernandez were waiting outside the hospital to greet him. Not pictured is 5-year-old son Mason Davila.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
At only 30 years old and otherwise healthy, Jonathan Davila is not the usual face of COVID-19.
His odds for surviving the virus seemed favorable. But the Addison dad would face a far longer road to recovery than most.
After 44 days in the hospital, Davila finally reunited with his wife and children Tuesday afternoon. Doctors, nurses and other front-line health care workers at Elmhurst Hospital celebrated his discharge by lining a hallway, cheering, clapping and waving signs in recognition of their combined efforts in saving Davila's life.
“It came to a time where I didn't believe he was going to come home,” his wife, Ashley King, said. “I was starting to think of how I was going to tell my kids that they weren't going to have their dad. But right when it was at that point, I got the call that he was doing better.”
Davila was admitted to Elmhurst Hospital on March 23. He was among the first COVID-19 patients treated on the campus. Doctors would have to intubate him for more than 20 days for respiratory failure. At one point, he was put on dialysis.
“It is distinctly unusual in my experience to have somebody so young, so profoundly sick and to emerge so well,” said Dr. Phillip Cozzi, a pulmonary disease specialist at Elmhurst.
Davila no longer needs oxygen or dialysis. He'll continue receiving care at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton.
“I'm very grateful for the doctors and all the nurses because without them, he wouldn't be here,” Davila's wife said. “So I'm just very happy he's alive.”
• Daily Herald photographer Brian Hill contributed to this report.
Jonathan Davila, 30 of Addiso reacts to seeing his family for the first time after a 44-day hospital stay for COVID-19. His wife, Ashley King, and their children were waiting outside Elmhurst Hospital to greet him Tuesday.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Elmhurst Hospital staff members celebrate Jonathan Davila's recovery from COVID-19. Davila had not seen his children, Danny, 16, Mason, 5, and Elijah, 6 months, in person since March 23.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Dr. Phillip Cozzi, a pulmonary disease specialist at Elmhurst Hospital, addresses the media as COVID-19 survivor Jonathan Davila, 30, of Addison, was discharged Tuesday. Also pictured is Elmhurst President and CEO Pamela Dunley.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
After being discharged from Elmhurst Hospital Tuesday, Jonathan Davila, 30 of Addison, gets a hug from his son Mason, 5, who is being held by his stepson, Daniel Hernandez, 16.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Jonathan Davila, 30, of Addison, was discharged from Elmhurst Hospital Tuesday after a 44-day stay for COVID-19.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Jonathan Davila, 30 of Addison was discharged from Elmhurst Hospital Tuesday after a 44-day stay for COVID-19. Davila's wife, Ashley King, is pictured to the left holding their 6-month-old son, Elijah Davila. Also pictured is Davila's stepson, Daniel Hernandez, 16.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Jonathan Davila, 30 of Addison was admitted to Elmhurst Hospital on March 23. He was among the first COVID-19 patients treated on the campus. Davila's wife, Ashley King, is pictured to the left.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com