'This is nothing like anything I've ever experienced': Shropshire ambulance worker battling Covid-19 warns people to follow Government advice
A Shropshire ambulance worker who is battling coronavirus says it is a "vile and painful disease" and today warned people to follow the Government's advice during lock down.
Mike Avery, who is a care assistant for a private ambulance service contracted to the NHS, only started the role earlier this year.
The 59-year-old, who lives in Minsterley, near Shrewsbury, was diagnosed with Covid-19 on Saturday and he says at times it has felt like his lungs have been "on fire".
Mr Avery was on duty last Friday when he started to feel unwell with a high temperature and was checked over by staff at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital's A&E department, before being admitted.
He returned home the following day, after a test confirmed he had coronavirus, but he was readmitted on Sunday with a high temperature and chest pains.
Mr Avery, who also has kidney disease and is now self-isolating at home, said: "It's catastrophic. This is nothing like anything I've ever experienced. I can feel it in my body.
"I've had severe pain in my back, kidney area, severe fatigue and a high temperature.
"I've been anxious for two to three days.
"You feel as though it's an alien inside of you. It goes away at times and then comes back and flattens you."
Mr Avery said he experienced "significant" lung pains on Monday and felt as though they were "on fire".
He previously ran an internet finance company and restaurant, and only began working as an ambulance care assistant earlier this year. His duties involve him administering basic healthcare and taking patients to and from hospital, or other care settings.
A few months ago when he first stepped into the role he described landing his dream job. He never imagined he would be helping in the battle against coronavirus on the frontline.
"I wanted to help people," he said.
"I didn't expect this but you don't just walk out because things have changed. My colleagues on the frontline in health services have not turned away from their duties.
"I have not seen one frontline health worker in the hospitals and care homes of Shropshire shy away from their responsibilities. They are inspirational and we are quite rightly proud of them.
"We know the risk we take and some of us have paid the price and have yet to pay the price."
He says getting back on duty is driving him to recover and has pleaded that people should heed the Government's advice during lock down.
"All I ask of people is to stay isolated until we are advised that we can come out of lock down," he said.
"It’s a vile and painful disease and if we can beat it by being locked down for how ever long it takes then so be it.
"People think it's elderly people that get it, but you don't know that.
"It's not flu, it's not a cold. If it gets out of hand it can be catastrophic and there's no cure for it."
Anyone with potential Covid-19 symptoms should access NHS 111 in the first instance, or call 111 if they do not have internet access.
In cases of emergency ring 999.
