North East doctor recovering from coronavirus urges people to 'stay at home'

Northumerland-based Dr Lily Lamb, took to Twitter on Monday, March 23 to share her experience as one of the first people in the North East to be diagnosed with Covid-19.

The GP revealed she is now recovering from her symptoms seven days after first becoming ill.

The number of UK cases now stands at 6,650, with 131 in the North East.

Click here for an interactive map showing the spread of Covid-19 across the UK

In her post, she applauded Boris Johnson’s decision to place the UK in lockdown as he outlined strict new measures allowing people to only leave the house for a few specific reasons.

“I recognise that it will not be easy, but we all have to make sacrifices to save the lives of others and to protect our NHS,” she wrote.

Before developing symptoms, Dr Lamb said she had “struggled to sleep” worrying about whether she would contract the virus and pass it onto members of her family and patients.

She says she first experienced a high temperature, aching and had been “utterly drained” with “horrible” headaches.

However, she is now “turning a corner” and is ready to take care of her husband and eight-year-old, who are also displaying symptoms.

Dr Lamb said: “I wanted to share this because I know many of you are fearful of catching this virus, and I can confirm it isn't much fun, but it will force you to rest, to put down your smartphone, stop checking your emails and social media, and take stock of what really is important in life.

“Most of us will bounce back, but for some of our most vulnerable members of the population, this disease will be lethal.”

She went onto thank her NHS colleagues and the public for getting behind them.

“Now is the time to have courage, be kind and play our part in defeating this disease,” she continued

“Never has it been more apparent how fortunate we are in the UK to have such a fantastic health service which we must all now protect.”