A CARE worker who tested positive for Covid two times in seven months has warned that getting the virus once DOESN’T protect you.
Michelle Lamont, 50, from Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, first tested positive for Covid in April last year and said it was “the worst she’d ever felt.”
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The mother-of-three initially felt lethargic while working on a late shift and was devastated after she tested positive for the virus.
She lost her taste and smell, and felt weak and breathless as Covid took a toll on her body.
As well as the other symptoms, she also had palpitations, headaches and a loss of appetite.
Michelle said: “It was the worst I’d ever felt. Moving from my bed to the bathroom in my room was like doing a marathon.
“While I was lying in bed, I was worried I’d pass it on to my family.
“My oldest daughter helped look after me.
“She’d wear PPE and would clean door handles, she amazing but it was a total role reversal.”
Despite following the restrictions, Michelle tested positive for the virus again in November – but believes it was a different variant from the first time.
When Test and Protect contacted in her in November to say she tested positive, Michelle burst out crying.
Despite being back at work she still feels breathless when she wears a mask and battles with tiredness.
The 50-year-old said: “Some people don’t believe you can get it again, they think you get it once and that’s it.
“I was so upset when I’d found out.
“The second time I didn’t feel as ill as the first time, I had some of the same symptoms but it was more mentally challenging.”
She returned to her work the following month, but said she is still affected by long term health implications.
She said: “I still feel out of breath when I wear a mask, but I still wear one to keep people safe.
“I still feel lethargic too. I think I will overcome this eventually, I’m just trying to stay positive.”
Michelle received her first Covid-19 vaccine in January and will receive her second dose between March and April.
She added: “I do worry about the new strains, I’ve had it twice already so who’s to say I won’t get it a third time.
“If new strains are easier to catch, it is a cause for concern.
“I felt so ill the first time and I think it’s something that always stays in your mind.
“People don’t believe you can get it again.
“I know it’s difficult, so much of life has been put on hold but people need to be cautious.”
Over the weekend, the Brazilian Manaus P1 strain was detected in the UK for the first time.
The mutant virus is thought to be more contagious and there is a chance it may not respond as well to the jab – although no vaccine data for it exists.
Three of the people with the new strain were detected on Friday in England – including two in South Gloucestershire – while three were found in Scotland on Saturday.
A hunt is now underway for the sixth patient in England, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
Yesterday, Covid deaths plunged to their lowest level in 11 weeks with 144 more fatalities.
There have been 6,035 more infections – bringing the total number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began to 4,176,554.
This is the lowest number of daily positive cases since September 28.
Yesterday’s daily death toll has brought the total number of victims to 122,849.
It is lower than Saturday’s total of 290 as the figure continues to drop.
