Just more than two weeks ago John Thames found himself at Russell Medical positive for COVID-19, in intensive care on a ventilator. Tuesday he was greeted by Santa as he stepped into a vehicle at Russell Medical headed home for the holidays.
Home for the holidays: Local man recovers from COVID-19 in time for Christmas
- Cliff Williams / The Outlook
- Updated

Cliff Williams / The Outlook Russell Medical nurse practitioner Tammy Coker, left, and Russell Medical chief medical officer Dr. Michele Goldhagen, right, greet John Thames as he was released from Russell Medical Tuesday following a stay for treatment related to COVID-19.
Cliff WilliamsCliff Williams / The Outlook Russell Medical nurse practitioner Tammy Coker, left, and Russell Medical chief medical officer Dr. Michele Goldhagen, right, greet John Thames as he was released from Russell Medical Tuesday following a stay for treatment related to COVID-19.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook Russell Medical nurse practitioner Tammy Coker, left, and Russell Medical chief medical officer Dr. Michele Goldhagen, right, greet John Thames as he was released from Russell Medical Tuesday following a stay for treatment related to COVID-19.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook Russell Medical director of marketing Susan Foy greets John Thames as he was released from Russell Medical Tuesday following a stay for treatment related to COVID-19.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook Russell Medical staff greet John Thames as he was released from Russell Medical Tuesday following a stay for treatment related to COVID-19.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook Russell Medical staff greet John Thames as he was released from Russell Medical Tuesday following a stay for treatment related to COVID-19.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook John Thames was greeted by Santa as he was released from Russell Medical Tuesday following a stay for treatment related to COVID-19.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook Santa opened the door for John Thames as he was released from Russell Medical for treatment related to COVID-19.
Cliff Williams
Staff Writer
Cliff Williams is a staff writer for Tallapoosa Publishers.
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log InRecommended for you
Lake Scene Directory
Alexander City, AL
Right Now
- Humidity: 94%
- Feels Like: 33°
- Heat Index: 33°
- Wind: 0 mph
- Wind Chill: 33°
- UV Index: 4 Moderate
- Sunrise: 06:41:24 AM
- Sunset: 05:12:23 PM
- Dew Point: 31°
- Visibility: 10 mi
Today
Partly cloudy. High 59F. Winds light and variable.
Tonight
Cloudy. Low 41F. Winds light and variable.
Tomorrow
Cloudy skies with periods of rain later in the day. High 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Online Poll
Stay informed with our Free Newsletters
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.