Covid-19 survivor from Leicestershire is warning “it’s down to all of us” to beat the killer virus

A Covid-19 survivor from Leicestershire is warning “it’s down to all of us” to beat the killer virus.

Alex, 46, is speaking out as the coronavirus rate has soared to a new high of 301.7 per 100,000 people in Harborough.

He said he is still “having days that are not so good” six months after leaving hospital following two weeks on an intensive care ward.

Alex is talking about his ordeal as the county council urges people they have just two weeks to drive down increasing rates across Leicestershire.

The project manager from Loughborough said: “I just want people to take as much care as they can and follow the guidance.

“I know, for some people, wearing a mask, for example, is uncomfortable, but try being incubated in terms of being uncomfortable.

“I really wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I’ve been through.”

He added: “I wouldn’t want anyone’s partner or people themselves receiving a phone call saying that their significant other might not come out of hospital.

“But that was the scenario we were faced with.”

Mike Sandys, the county council's director of public health, said slashing rates to around 150 per 100,000 people is the ballpark figure for the county to leave the national lockdown in Tier 1.

He warned that a rate of 150-200 could tip Leicestershire into Tier 2 - and the current rate of around 300 could mean Tier 3 restrictions after Wednesday December 2.

“Alex’s experience really resonates with me.

“It’s clear he is still dealing with the effects of having Covid-19 and he’s right that it is down to us all to play our part,” said Mike.

“The advice is pretty clear – if you have symptoms, please get tested.

“You must book an appointment by contacting 119 or through the nhs.uk website.

“We know there’s an impact on people’s lives.

“But we have to keep doing the right thing by staying at home - except for education, work, exercise, medical reasons and food shopping -following a good hygiene regime, wearing a mask and keeping two metres apart.

“This will help to bring down the numbers.

“We need to be halving our numbers to give ourselves the best chance of leaving lockdown in tier one.”

Alex added: “I still have days when I’m not so good. “I still get breathless.

“It just means I’ve had to learn to adapt to what I can do.

“It’s also made my fully appreciate the things which are important in life – the things I value the most, such as my family, who this probably affected the most.”

Alex’s story is available on the county council’s YouTube channel.

For the latest coronavirus updates, visit https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19People with symptoms are being urged to get a test. You must book an appointment by calling 119 or at http://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-testThere is a walk through test centre in Market Harborough at Harborough Leisure Centre Car Park on Northampton Road.