Hamilton drummer Gene Champagne of Teenage Head off ventilator, still in hospital

Prominent musician Gene Champagne, a drummer from Hamilton who performs with Teenage Head and other rock bands, is now breathing on his own after being put on a ventilator last week due to COVID-19.

His wife, Julie Champagne, shared the good news online through Champagne's bands and close friends.

"I could not be happier to tell everyone Gene came off the ventilator this morning," read her message on Monday afternoon.

"He has a very long recovery ahead, but he is strong and so far responding very well to everything the doctors are doing for him."

She also thanked everyone for the outpouring of support.

Gene,52,also playsfor Canadian bands the Killjoys and Tongue Fu, and fronts his own group, The Un-Teens.

Three weeks ago, he got COVID-19through his full-time job outside music that involves transportation and logistics.

Then, his symptoms worsened, he got pneumonia, and he was put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit atJoseph Brant Hospital in Burlington.

His wife previously said their dog,Figgy, has been sleeping on his pillow every night since he entered the hospital.

On Monday afternoon, Julie said Gene will eventually be able to return home.

"We will have a lot of challenges ahead but I consider us both to be extremely lucky in this, because after some time, I can bring him home," she said.