More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A heavily pregnant mum-of-three "fighting for her baby's life" after contracting coronavirus has shared a heartbreaking video from her hospital bed.
Struggling for breath, Karen Mannering, from Herne Bay, fights back tears as she tells how she has been ill for two weeks and now has pneumonia in both of her lungs.
The 39-year-old beauty therapist, who is almost seven months pregnant with a boy, says she received the "horrendous" diagnosis today.
With a breathing tube in her nose, she says: "I've just been told that I have Covid-19 and I've been ill for two weeks.
"I've been in hospital now since Saturday and today is Wednesday.
"I have pneumonia in both lungs. and I'm fighting for me and my baby.
"I have three kids at home and a husband, that I can't see. I don't know where I've caught it from but I'm very ill."
The UK government has classed expectant mothers as those among the "vulnerable" group at risk of Covid-19.
Professor Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer, said that including pregnant women in this group was a "precautionary measure" as experts are "early in our understanding of this virus".
Mrs Mannering's harrowing video had been watched by more than 25,000 people and shared a further 4,000 times within two hours of her sharing it.
In the footage, shot in Margate's QEQM Hospital, she bravely urges people to follow the government's lockdown rules, adding in her post that she fears for the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
"It's not worth going out," she said.
"I'm telling you now, if you're going to see your friends for a stupid beer on the sea wall because the weather's nice, you're going to take this home and you're going to kill someone; one of your family members.
"Stop going out, and listen to Boris. Stop going out. It's not worth it."
She adds in her Facebook post: "I am now fighting for mine and my baby’s life.
"I have no idea how this will affect him."
Mrs Mannering works at Hot-Tees Tanning Salon in Sturry Road, Canterbury.
It has posted in its Facebook page: "To all of are customers at hot-tees we regret to inform you that 1 of are members have been tested positive for COVID-19.
"Please be safe and if you receive any of the symptoms please ring for medical advice."
