Greenwich man leaves rehab following yearlong battle with COVID-19, aftereffects

A Greenwich man who was released from the hospital back in April after his bout with COVID-19 and then stayed in rehab facilities for six months is finally allowed to go home.

News 12 Staff

Oct 29, 2021, 9:25 PM

Updated 1,149 days ago

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A Greenwich man who was released from the hospital back in April after his bout with COVID-19 and then stayed in rehab facilities for six months is finally allowed to go home.
George Kelakos says nearly a year after he was first admitted to Greenwich Hospital with COVID-19, he's strong enough to walk. An international business lawyer by trade, the 64-year-old says he was working full time again, virtually, as soon as he was able to speak.
As News 12 has previously reported, Kelakos was released from the hospital in April after a five-month stay. He spent three months in another rehab before transferring in August to Gaylord Specialty Care in Wallingford.
Kelakos says the staff at Gaylord worked wonders for his recovery - especially his two main therapists.
Occupational therapist Katie Zimmerli says Kelakos, who has been practicing tai chi for 51 years, was a picture of good health before being infected with COVID-19.
Kelakos says if it could knock him down for a year, it could happen to anyone.
"COVID is no joke, folks. No, it's not a conspiracy. It's not something that was politicized. It's real," he says.
Kelakos says once he's released, he will be heading to LaGuardia to board a flight to Michigan to visit family.