Peterborough resident told he has coronavirus by NHS describes his experience since diagnosis

Christian DeFeo (47) is currently self-isolating at his home in Glinton after being diagnosed over the phone, but he said no test to check he has the coronavirus has been offered.

Mr DeFeo has now written a first person piece for the Peterborough Telegraph describing his experiences over the past week as he tries to make a full recovery:

I can’t say I’ll look upon March 2020 with any fondness. In particular, the week of the 9th was particularly dreadful. On the 10th, my employer informed me that my job no longer exists. On (Friday) the 13th, I fell ill. On the 15th, the infamous Ides of March, the NHS 111 service diagnosed me as having the coronavirus.

“This assessment was done without any testing. I do not know if my case has made it into the official statistics: I don’t think so. The NHS stated that they had moved from “testing” to “treatment”. But there is no treatment.

“The recommendation is to drink plenty of liquids, control the fever with paracetamol, get as much rest as possible.. As I write this from my sickbed I can say I’ve been following these instructions to the letter. There has been scant relief.

“I have had consistently high fevers, respiratory difficulties, and an inability to do normal activities. Sleep is difficult, fatigue is a constant, the cough I have seems to arise from the very depths of my lungs. I have fever dreams which wake me in the middle of the night.

“A week ago, I went to the gym which I do two or three times a week.. I ran two miles on the treadmill. Now, I find it very difficult to sit up, to rouse myself out of bed, and make my way to the bathroom. A week ago, I felt I could challenge myself. Now, doing the mundane is the challenge.

“The NHS said they were moving from “testing” to “treatment” but there is no treatment apart from nature taking its course. I know that I am one of the lucky ones: I have enough supplies at home. My overall health should eventually see me through. But how long until then? I have cancelled everything for two weeks. Is that enough?

“Furthermore, as I lay here and listen to the news of stock markets being wiped out by coronavirus fears, I wonder if there will be enough of an economy on the other side of my illness for me to find new employment.

“What happens when money runs out? What about people who work in the gig economy or have zero hours contracts? They may try to continue working; I doubt the virus will let them.

“Then what? What happens when a substantial portion of the population is locked behind closed doors? I have seen pictures on television of many major cities emptied of their inhabitants. It is astonishing how quickly vibrant towns can be reduced to hollow shells. Will Peterborough be the same?

“March 2020 has been a particularly cruel month; nevertheless, I am relatively fortunate. I know that eventually I will throw off the illness. I wonder: how many others out there are ill but haven’t had their cases recorded? What is the real picture? And what will tomorrow bring?”