Greg Norman tested positive for COVID-19 and returned to hospital for an infusion of antibodies overnight, the World Golf Hall of Famer revealed on Monday.
After spending Christmas Day in the emergency room with severe COVID-19 symptoms, Norman was ordered to self-isolate at home while he waited for further tests to confirm what doctors suspected was the dreaded coronavirus.
The super-fit 65-year-old took to Instagram on Monday to reveal he had indeed returned a positive test and immediately underwent an infusion of antibodies to help fight the virus.
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Bamlanivimab, the drug Norman was injected with via transfusion, is authorised in America for patients with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing who are 12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms, and who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalisation. While the safety and effectiveness of this investigational therapy continues to be evaluated, bamlanivimab was shown in clinical trials to reduce COVID-19-related hospitalisation or emergency room visits in patients at high risk for disease progression within 28 days after treatment when compared to placebo.
For Norman, it marks the start of what he hopes will be a full road to recovery after a week of unbearable pain and suffering.
“I am fit and strong and have a high tolerance for pain but this virus kicked the crap out of me like nothing I have ever experienced before,” he said.
“Muscle and joint pain on another level. Headaches that feel like a chisel going through your head, scraping little bits off each time. Fever and muscles that just did not want to work. Then my taste failed –beer tasted bad and wine the same. And finally, struggling with memory loss – names and things. Then there is the irritation…”
And it could have been a whole lot worse for the Shark if not for his supreme level of fitness. In an exclusive chat with Australian Golf Digest, Norman revealed doctors told him his lung capacity was equivalent to a healthy 40-year-old’s, and will continue to play a huge part in his recovery.
“I’m hoping I’ll be fully recovered and free by New Year’s Eve,” an upbeat Norman told Australian Golf Digest.
“I’ll take it easy with all the fitness stuff and just let the body recover. I’ve actually been taking a nap during the day on a regular basis lately. That tells me my body needs some TLC.”
