Michael Rosen still experiencing effects of Covid after ordeal left him on ventilator for 47 days

Michael was hospitalised for seven weeks last year

Michael Rosen has revealed he is still experiencing the effects of Covid, after he spent weeks in an induced come after contracting the illness last year.

The We’re Going On A Bear Hunt author, 75, spent seven weeks on a ventilator in intensive care as he struggled to recover from the illness.

Previously speaking about hit battle, the poet said he was ‘probably two or three hours off departing this planet’ when he was rushed to A&E.

Ahead of detailing his experience in an upcoming London Literature Festival event, the poet has shared his ongoing symptoms, which include eyesight issues and numbness.

He told PA News Agency: ‘In terms of symptoms, I have a foggy left eye, I have a left ear that doesn’t really hear much, I have numb toes and I get dizzy quite often, which is mild, and then, every now and then, I get vertigo.

‘It’s quite rare, the vertigo, but I do get dizzy patches walking along.’

He added: ‘I have to consciously think about breathing.

The author is battling lingering symptoms (Picture: David Hartley/Rex/Shutterstock)

‘That may be a consequence of Covid or that may be a consequence of the coma, either or both.’

Rosen has published a book, titled Many Different Kinds Of Love, about his illness.

He said writing about his experience has helped him process what has happened to him.

Rosen explained: ‘You have feelings swirling round in your head that you can’t necessarily understand or cope with.

‘And then if you put them down on paper, things start becoming clear.’

Recalling his illness, Rosen credited the NHS with saving his life, as he said: ‘It’s quite amazing the care I got.

‘They saved my life. When I was taken in, I was in great danger of dying.’

Rosen had previously told BBC Radio 4’s Today he was handed a piece of paper by doctors, which said he had a 50/50 chance of survival.

He said: ‘I said “Well are you telling me that’s better than the chance I’ve got now?”

‘And I said “Are you telling me I might not wake up?” and they said “Yes”, then I signed something.’

More: Coronavirus

Speaking now, Rosen added he hopes to ‘repay the favour’ the NHS gave him by telling others about the lifesaving care he was given at the London Literature Festival.

Rosen will appear alongside novelist Kate Mosse at the festival’s event at the Southbank Centre on October 30.

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