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More on KentOnline
A mum has been forced to put her life on hold over fears she may have caught coronavirus.
The woman, 30, from Chatham, works at Maidstone Studios, where a male employee tested positive for the deadly condition, Covid-19, on Sunday evening.
It is the first confirmed case of the virus in Kent.
Yesterday afternoon the woman, who has been told not to speak to the press, and her 50 colleagues were told to leave and self-isolate by their bosses.
The studio, at Vinters Business Park, is home to 40 businesses. Some of the companies, including Continuity of Case Services and ITV Meridian have decided their employees should work from home today, although the studio say this is not necessary and it is working closely with Public Health England in the south east.
While she is not running a high temperature, the mum has had a cough and sore throat since Tuesday, February 25, and now at home with her two-year-old son and partner, she has yet to be tested for the virus.
Symptoms for the virus are similar to those experienced by people who have the flu or cold, but people who get coronavirus also have a high fever.
Although her son and husband have not been told isolate, the family took the decision it was better for them to stay together.
The trio are now facing two weeks with just each other for company, with her son unable to attend nursery once a week. She has also disappointed friends, after cancelling plans to attend a concert in London.
The NHS advises staying inside for up to 14 days to help reduce the possible spread of infection.
She said: "It's distressing, I don't like staying indoors. This will be longest time my husband and I have spent together in eight years.
"We haven't quarrelled yet apart from him saying I'm panicking about having the coronavirus. He says I'm overreacting but I'm just following advice.
'It's distressing, I don't like staying indoors'
"My son doesn't understand what's going on, he's too small."
At the moment, the family have plenty of food and will ask friends and family to buy goods for them.
"I am working from home and we've got plenty to do and there's always Netflix," she added.
A question mark is also hanging over their holiday to Spain at the end of the month, but no decision has been made on that yet.
She is not sure if she has been in direct contact with the Maidstone Studios employee who caught the virus, and was on hold with the NHS non-emergency line for an hour-and-a-half, seeking advice.
She received a call at 1.30am this morning from the NHS offering an appointment with Medway on Call Care, to get tested at a centre in Gillingham. However, an appointment time was never offered.
Unwilling to venture out of the house, in case she passes on the virus, she is waiting to hear if she can be tested at home.
