Hellingly mum with suspected coronavirus calls for more testing

A Hellingly mum who suspects she has coronavirus says more tests should be given to those with severe symptoms.
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Caroline Rosan said she has been unwell for 14 days – and has had to make numerous calls to her doctor’s and NHS 111.

Currently, only patients in hospital with flu-like symptoms are being tested for the Covid-19 virus – and tests are being given to NHS staff and key workers first.

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Caroline, 36, said: “I have never been so unwell in my entire life.

Caroline Rosan from Hellingly suspects she has coronavirusCaroline Rosan from Hellingly suspects she has coronavirus
Caroline Rosan from Hellingly suspects she has coronavirus

“I had to call 111 because I was so scared and I literally could not breathe.

“They said a doctor would call me back within six hours. I then got a text saying they were really delayed, before someone called me.

“The doctor I spoke to said it was very probable I did have coronavirus and advised me to keep as upright as possible and not to lay down.”

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The 36-year-old senior shop manager said her symptoms did not start with a cough but with a fever, nausea and severe vomiting and diarrhea. But by day three a cough kicked in which ‘made her want to pass out’.

Caroline RosanCaroline Rosan
Caroline Rosan

“The cough was horrific – I couldn’t breath – it was exhausting,” she commented.

“My doctor said they thought it was gastroenteritis, but I told them that I had had that many times and that it was not that.

“I told them I didn’t feel right and that I had seen reports of people with coronavirus having gastro systems.”

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Caroline said she was advised to do a stool sample – which later came back as normal.

Caroline's three children; Alfie, aged seven (left), Lily-Rose, aged six, and Lee, aged tenCaroline's three children; Alfie, aged seven (left), Lily-Rose, aged six, and Lee, aged ten
Caroline's three children; Alfie, aged seven (left), Lily-Rose, aged six, and Lee, aged ten

She said she was ‘quite confident’ that she had coronavirus: “When they release this antibody test to see if people have it, I am certain mine will come back as positive.”

She encouraged more testing: “The key thing here is the testing – they are not doing enough tests.

“And they shouldn’t overlook gastro symptoms. I just hope this story can protect one person.”

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Public Health England said it is working to increase the number of tests to 25,000 a day and this increased capacity is expected to be ready within four weeks.

It said older and vulnerable groups will be prioritised, to ensure that they access the right treatment and care quickly.

It added that people who are generally well will not be tested and should manage their condition at home.

A spokesman for South East Ambulance Service said: “We would urge people to use NHS 111 online in the first instance and follow the government’s advice to stay at home wherever possible.”