Wakefield couple hospitalised with coronavirus after testing positive on wedding day

A Wakefield mum has issued a stark warning about the realities of Covid-19, after she and her partner tested positive for the disease on their wedding day.
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Katie Cheesman and partner Neil have been shielding with their 18-month old son George since February, and had only left the house on a handful of occasions, to pick up food orders or essential supplies.

They had postponed their wedding, which had initially been planned for August 1, and avoiding meeting any family and friends for more than five months.

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Katie said: "Although I am a nurse I have been shielding since February.

Katie Cheesmanand partner Neil have been shielding with their 18-month old son George since February, andhad only left the house on a handful of occasions, to pick up food orders or essential supplies.Katie Cheesmanand partner Neil have been shielding with their 18-month old son George since February, andhad only left the house on a handful of occasions, to pick up food orders or essential supplies.
Katie Cheesmanand partner Neil have been shielding with their 18-month old son George since February, andhad only left the house on a handful of occasions, to pick up food orders or essential supplies.

"I received an NHS letter advising that I shield due to the severity of my asthma and the fact I have been under the care of immunology.

"I had previously contracted flu whilst pregnant, leading to sepsis, so I knew I reacted badly to flu already.

"I cleaned all my shopping - I get it all delivered, I kept my son off from nursery.

"We knew how serious this could be."

Katie and Neil pictured prior to lockdown. Both were hospitalised with Covid-19, despite shielding for more than five months.Katie and Neil pictured prior to lockdown. Both were hospitalised with Covid-19, despite shielding for more than five months.
Katie and Neil pictured prior to lockdown. Both were hospitalised with Covid-19, despite shielding for more than five months.
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But despite their careful efforts, on the evening of July 30, Katie suffered a severe asthma attack, which her inhalers were unable to assist with.

The following day, Neil discovered that he had lost his sense of taste and smell, a key symptom of the disease, and the couple applied for Covid-19 tests.

"I thought it was very unlikely he had the virus," Katie said. "Despite the symptoms, he had shielded with me.

"Saturday 1st came which was supposed to be our wedding day and marked the end of shielding.

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"I was so relieved that I could finally at least take my son to the park, but as we were waiting for a test I felt it would be irresponsible to go out that day.

"The test results came in and unfortunately both results were positive. We were terrified."

The couple's initial concerns were for Katie, whose respiratory conditions left her at particular risk, but it was Neil whose health deteriorated first, leaving him struggling to breathe.

On Sunday, August 1, just hours after their positive test results, Neil coughed up a large blood clot into the couple's bathroom sink.

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Katie said: "I called 999 and the paramedics were here within 10 minutes. They came in full suits with helmets, they looked like space suits."

Neil was taken to hospital, where he received a number of treatments to tackle his pain and discomfort.

But he was concerned about Katie, who had been left alone with baby George, and was developing worsening symptoms of her own.

His consultant agreed to discharge him, and he returned home to his family.

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"It was terrifying and exhausting," Katie said. "The fatigue was horrendous, even showering was a struggle.

"George was wanting us to play with him and we were both laid on the sofa and unable to even push two pieces of Lego together.

"Looking after him with Covid was so hard due to the extreme fatigue. Bathing him was difficult, and he’s very active."

Katie and Neil had been worried they might pass the virus to their son, but Katie said he showed only minor discomfort for a day before returning to his "happy, bubbly self".

But for Katie, the worst was yet to come.

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"Seven days after my positive test I was getting worse and worse," she said.

"I was unable to climb the stairs due to being so breathless, and I had terrible palpitations and chest pain.

"I was no longer able to swallow my medication and getting severe indigestion. I was also getting strange neurological symptoms such as a tremor.

"I called 111, and they sent an ambulance.

"It was terrifying, but the paramedic was kind, caring and empathetic.

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"I felt in safe hands. You know as professionals we always say “we are just doing our job”, but having these people come to our home, risking their lives to save ours, was unbelievable.

"They couldn’t believe how we had managed at home. They were so empathetic.

"I was taken to the Covid part of the hospital and the paramedic stayed by my side right until the Doctor arrived.

"The paramedic was very understanding that I had been shielding since February and that a trip to the hospital would be very daunting from me.

"I can’t thank them enough."

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Katie remained in hospital for several days, before she was discharged with a further course of steroids.

Two weeks on from her diagnosis, she is still experiencing severe lung pain and breathlessness, as well as hand tremors and weaknesses.

After talking to Track and Trace professionals, the family now believe that Neil picked up the virus from a petrol pump in late July.

But Katie is focusing on the future, and is looking forward to returning to work in the coming months.

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She has now turned her attention to tackling the spread of false information online.

Katie said: "I want to let people know that Covid doesn’t discriminate. Neil is the fittest person that people know.

"He is military, he runs marathons he plays football, and yet he couldn’t breathe.

"This is real. I feel it's irresponsible for people to post on Facebook that the government 'can't control me'.

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"If you don't like wearing a mask, you won't like wearing an oxygen mask or being on a ventilator.

"I became ill and didn't have one person who could look after my baby.

"Nurses are fighting this day by day. They don't need to hear people say this isn't real.

"Nobody likes this but it’s here and it’s real. This is the new normal and I feel everyone has a responsibility to play their part.

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"To wash hands, to respect social distancing and to help others where we can.

"Covid has long term effects on your health, your employment, your family and your future.

"Please take this seriously."

Visit the NHS website to book a coronavirus test today.