Watch: Staten Island EMT released from hospital after beating coronavirus

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Tears of joy and thunderous claps greeted an EMT as he was released Friday from Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton after conquering coronavirus (COVID-19).

Anthony (Tony) McKay, 52, was saluted by his colleagues from RUMC, firefighters from Engine Co. 155 and Ladder Co. 78, and swarms of family members and friends as he was wheeled out of the building’s main entrance.

McKay spent nearly three weeks on a BiPAP machine to assist his breathing after contacting coronavirus in early April.

“The patient was treated with oxygen from non-invasive ventilation, hydroxychloroquine and baricitinib,” said leading physician Dr. Jay Nfonoyim. “He’ll be going home with some oxygen, but he looks like he’s going to be OK.”

Loved ones and co-workers were overjoyed to see the 20-year veteran EMT finally go home after beating the deadly virus.

“Moments like these are what really charges the batteries for all of us," said hospital CEO Dr. Daniel J. Messina.

“The community coming out like this today and supporting someone on the front lines is what helps us deal with the typical day-to-day stress.”

Messina said overall numbers continue to decline in the borough’s hospitals — a testament to social distancing efforts.

“We need to stay the course,” Messina said. “We’ve gone through a tough time and we can’t be too aggressive on how we come out of this — so let’s not let our guard down just yet."

POSITIVE SIGNS IN HOSPITALS

The number of patients treated for the coronavirus and released from Staten Island’s hospitals has surpassed 2,000.

As of Friday morning, a total of 2,049 patients had been discharged since the pandemic’s outbreak, according to information from the borough’s two hospital systems.

That number represented an increase of 39 from Thursday morning’s tally of 2,010.

Staten Island University Hospital’s two campuses have discharged 1,650 patients, said Jillian O’Hara, a spokeswoman.

Richmond University Medical Center has treated and released 399 patients, Alex Lutz, a spokesman, said.

In addition, the number of hospitalized coronavirus patients continues its descent.

On Friday morning, 217 patients were being cared for on Staten Island, a decline of 15 from the prior morning’s tally of 232.

By contrast, 554 Islanders were hospitalized with the virus when those numbers peaked a month ago on April 8.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***