Family of Britain’s youngest suspected coronavirus victim struggling to cope after five days in quarantine
THE family of a baby boy suspected to have coronavirus are struggling to cope with the isolation after being stuck in quarantine for five days.
Stephanie Adlam, 28, fears for eight-month-old James after he came into contact with an infected GP at the local Worthing Hospital, West Sussex.
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Mum and baby were raced to hospital for emergency tests on Tuesday – and have been holed up at home since.
Along with James’s father and five-year-old sister, the family have been ordered by health chiefs to remain in-doors until they learn of their fate this weekend.
They have since been relying on friends and family to drop off food.
STRUGGLING FOR FOOD
She said: “It’s been really hard just trying to carry on with life in these four walls without knowing what’s going on.
“James’s grandfather and my sister have been helping with supplies but they of course can’t be here all the time.
“Our gas and electricity is running low and we can’t just stroll to the shops to get more. It’s the small things you take for granted.
“On top of what’s already happening, it’s a real anxiety.”
The Sun ordered bags of groceries and household supplies to be dropped outside the family’s front door today.
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It included baby food and nappies for young James, fresh fruit and vegetables and treats for a family fry-up.
Public Health England told the family their test results would be ready by the end of tomorrow at the latest.
Stephanie said: "I'm just praying."
What to do if you're worried you've got coronavirus
BRITISH health chiefs have raised the coronavirus risk to the public from low to moderate.
Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.
The majority of those who have been infected with the virus so far have either visited China or been in close contact with someone who has.
But if you are concerned, knowing the signs is one of the best ways to protect yourself from 2019-nCoV.
Symptoms usually include:
- a cough
- a high temperature
- difficulty breathing
In most cases, you won't know whether you have a coronavirus or a different cold-causing virus.
But if a coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract, it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease or people with weakened immune systems.
It is incredibly contagious and is spread through contact with anything the virus is on as well as infected breath, coughs or sneezes.
The best way to prevent catching any form of coronavirus is to practice good hygiene.
If you have cold-like symptoms, you can help protect others by staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with others.
You should also cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze then throw it away and wash your hands.
Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces which you may have touched is also important.
If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days:
- Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses
- Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city
- your recent travel to the city
If you are in Northern Ireland, call your GP.
Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.
Meanwhile, leading symptom-checking provider to the NHS has been updated to help identify patients' risk of having coronavirus.
Source: NHS
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