Deanna Hair, 67, of Ann Arbor caught the virus in the first wave back in March.

Hair, along with her husband, Ken, were among the first Michigan residents to catch the novel coronavirus, following a March trip to California.

While Ken showed few symptoms, Deanna immediately began vomiting and had a high fever.

She was admitted to the University of Michigan Medical Center April 2, and was there until Friday, when she finally was released to the cheers of friends and family after 196 days of care.

"People keep saying 'I took care of you,' but I was unconscious for about two and a half months so I really don't remember them, but I am so thankful," Deanna told FOX-2 News Detroit.

Hair's condition was perilous because she developed ischemic colitis, “essentially a dead gut,” Dr. Philip Choi, a pulmonologist at the hospital told NBC News.

The condition caused her to be unconscious for two and half months, exasperating her condition.

Hair still needs nighttime ventilation and can only walk 50-70 feet at a time, so she's not out of the woods yet.

“I know it’s going to be difficult, but I have my support system, which has held and cared for me since walking into that hospital,” Deanna told NBC.

Here are some tips for self-care during the pandemic:

 

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