When the coronavirus pandemic first began, Chinese studies concluded that severe illness caused by covid19 struck mainly the elderly and those in poor health. However, a UAE Team Emirates physiotherapist who survived nine days in the intensive care unit with severe pneumonia caused by the virus issued a warning not to underestimate the disease and an encouraging message to keep fighting if the disease strikes.

"I beat the coronavirus and I say to you guys: resist and do not underestimate it," Dario Marini, an osteopath who worked with the team on the UAE tour, said in a private Instagram post, according to Arezzo Notizie.

The 38-year-old triathlete said he was strong, healthy, and had no concerns when he arrived at the race, but first began experiencing symptoms on February 26.

That is when Marini was tested for SARS-CoV-2, a virus that has overwhelmed medical services, killed tens of thousands of people worldwide, and caused a global uproar.

Early studies in China showed that the majority of patients had mild or no symptoms at all, and only 0.2 percent died of Covid-19 in his age group. Fernando Gaviria and his lead out man, Max Richeze, also tested positive for the virus, but returned to their home country last week and said they are in good health.

Marini's case was different.

"At first everything seemed under control. But on February 29, the team doctor explained that my colleague and I would have to go to the hospital. After that, the situation worsened.

They were transferred to the prestigious Cleveland Hospital in Abu Dhabi, where Marini first developed pneumonia in one lung and then the other. Her fever soared and she was given all the experimental treatments for the disease, including oxygen inhalation, antibiotics, and antivirals.

Still in the intensive care unit, he managed to remain stable on oxygen inhalation and was spared intubation for assisted breathing.

"He was given antibiotics three times a day, a mixture of antiviral drugs for Ebola and HIV, then anti-arthritis drugs. There was no cure for the coronavirus, and the doctors followed the changing international situation step by step. The doctors were evaluating from time to time whether to change the mixture of drugs, based also on the results found by doctors working in other regions." [Nineteen days later, Marini was negative for the virus, but the pneumonia remained. He was hospitalized for several more days before he was finally allowed to return to Italy. By then, however, the world situation had worsened and travel was not easy.

"In the meantime, it took me two days to travel because many flights were canceled due to medical emergencies. But eventually I returned. I am grateful to the team that ensured me the best treatment and to my virologist, Fernanda Bonilla, who followed up with me."

Marini will be quarantined at home until April 3, after which she is expected to be spared from further infection. Scientists do not yet know whether the recovered person has permanent immunity and, if so, how long it will last.

He has lost a lot of weight and is still debilitated, but says he is exercising and trying to recover. It will take more time for his mental wounds to heal.

"My body is healing, but in my mind I am reliving the experience of the epidemic: I keep disinfecting everything, and I worry about my wife. It will take time, but I will be cured."

The 38-year-old said he told his story in the hope that it would "give comfort and strength to those who read it."

"Do not underestimate the coronavirus. I am 38 years old, healthy and athletically fit, and I am seriously ill. To those who are quarantined, isolated, or simply anxious, I say don't be discouraged and hang in there. And above all, follow all the instructions given to us: stay home, use masks and gloves, keep your distance. This is how to beat the virus."