Doctors are doing 'all they can' for Sunderland woman with coronavirus as she remains in a coma, family have said

A Sunderland mum diagnosed with coronavirus is said to be stable in hospital, according to her family.
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On Monday, March 9, Public Health England confirmed that one adult had tested positive for Covid-19 in Sunderland, making it the first case of coronavirus in Sunderland.

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The woman is currently receiving treatment at South Tyneside District Hospital.

The woman is being treated at South Tyneside District Hospital.The woman is being treated at South Tyneside District Hospital.
The woman is being treated at South Tyneside District Hospital.

The family, who do not want to be named at this time, were left shocked when their relative tested positive for coronavirus, saying that she does not leave the house often and has never been abroad in her life.

Two members of the family who saw the woman while she was unwell are also said to have been told to isolate themselves for 14 days.

Speaking to the Echo the patient’s son said: “There has been no change today, she is just the same.

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“She is still in a coma and is receiving antibiotics. She is no worse and no better.

“She is in the best place at the moment and is on a machine which is keeping her stable.

“They have turned her oxygen levels down slightly so that is a good sign.”

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Since the diagnosis the family have been overwhelmed by support from well wishers in the community.

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The patient’s son continued: “We still haven’t got a clue as to where she got it from. She has not been abroad in her life, she never leaves Sunderland.

“My dad and sister are still in isolation but are showing no symptoms.

Doctors are giving my dad updates over the phone and we have been told that we can phone them at any time.”

So far there are seven confirmed cases of coronavirus in the North East. On Tuesday, March 10, one person was been diagnosed with the condition in County Durham.

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Gillian Gibson, Director of Public Health at Sunderland City Council, said Sunderland has “robust infection plans in place”.

She said: “We are taking all the precautionary actions necessary to support and protect our communities in line with the Government’s published action plan.

“While we still have a lot to learn about the virus, the advice from the UK Government’s chief scientific adviser is that for the vast majority of people who catch COVID-19, it will be a mild illness.

“The best way anyone can protect themselves and others from the virus is to wash their hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, or use a hand sanitiser, and to cough or sneeze into a tissue, bin it and wash their hands.”

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Cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) were first reported in Hubei Province, China, in December 2019 and further cases have been confirmed around the world.

Symptoms include fever and a cough that may progress to pneumonia causing breathing difficulties.

Anyone with the above symptoms is urged to use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next, but should not visit a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

More on coronavirus in the North East: