British patient reveals what life is like after being tested positive for the novel coronavirus

A British patient has revealed what it is like to be positively diagnosed for the coronavirus and how one's close circle of family and friends deal with the ramifications of the diagnosis. 

John Browne, a resident of London, was diagnosed with Covid-19 after his girlfriend contracted it from a co-worker. According to Browne, the symptoms he was experiencing were high fever, a persistent dry cough, and a bit of a sore throat.

“Basically, like a bad cold or bad flu,” said the 32-year-old. Browne told a British publication that his girlfriend initially had a cold, and was displaying flu-like symptoms, but these turned into a cough so severe that she struggled to breathe. 

He added that his partner experienced an extremely high temperature, severe body aches that were hampering her movement, and a persistent dry cough.

Also read: Coronavirus: Queen's health draws concerns as UK health minister tests positive

While highlighting how difficult it was to buy essential stuff, Browne stated that the couple were not able to find a thermometer because they were sold out “everywhere”.

“We have had to rely on a couple of things, we’re treating ourselves by having basic painkillers like paracetamol to help the fever,” shared the 32-year old in a video uploaded to YouTube. 

He added that the couple were having difficulty in medicating themselves as they had been told that they needed to stay indoors. He said that due to a government advisory, they could not go outside to buy paracetamol.

Browne also shared that when he visited the supermarket before going into self-isolation, the medicine and toilet roll section was “absolutely bare”.

“So, we have a very small amount of paracetamol,” said the 32-year-old. He added that the couple had to rely on friends who live close by, and are not in self-isolation, to buy daily items for them.

The 32-year-old also shared that after seeing his girlfriend struggle with the virus, he reached out to Britain’s National Health Services, which sent an inhaler to a nearby pharmacy to relieve the tightness in his girlfriend's chest. 

However, as the couple were practising self-isolation, neither of them could collect the prescription and a friend collected the drug on their behalf. 

Also read: UK coronavirus cases shoot to 85 in biggest daily jump

Many governments across the world have imposed a lockdown in their territories to control a spike in the number of coronavirus cases. However, this has resulted in panic buying, which has left many people struggling to procure daily items. 

Globally, 192 countries have been affected, more than 14,000 people have died and more than 337,00 infected by the disease as it spreads rapidly to new territories. The epicentre of the outbreak has now shifted to Europe, especially Italy, which is recording a rapid rise in new cases and deaths every day.