Sick Milton Keynes woman blasts NHS and Government over conflicted coronavirus advice

As panic grips the country, one Milton Keynes grandmother has spoken out over claims that patients who think they have coronavirus symptoms are being selfish by walking into the crowded hospital's Urgent Care Centre.

Jeanette Jones has been ill for two-and-a-half weeks with a cough and sore throat, as well as feeling weak.

"I was a bit concerned as my brother had just come back from Thailand and I was just getting worse," she said.

After self-isolating, the 59-year-old grandmother called NHS 111 with her symptoms but was shocked to be told that - because she didn't have a high enough temperature - she should go to a walk-in centre.

"They suggested I either wait 24 hours and go to the doctor or they suggested I go to a walk-in centre," said Jeanette.

"What if have the coronavirus? I could infect everyone else."

She added: "I realise it could be a severe viral infection but now we are hearing you don't need a high temperature to have the coronavirus. I should at least be tested."

Jeanette's main concern is that our knowledge of the virus is still limited and that the Government and the NHS are playing catch-up.

"That's the frightening thing. It's a conflict. You can't call patients selfish when they are being told to go to the doctor or walk-in centre.

"The public are being told different things. We are not selfish because that is what we are being told to do.

"The public are being blamed. We are getting the wrong advice. We need more clarity on the symptoms. If anyone is poorly, they should be tested. We need more information from the NHS and the Government."

According to the NHS, the symptoms of coronavirus are:

*a cough

*a high temperature

*shortness of breath

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

To avoid catching or spreading the virus: wash your hands with soap and water often; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze; and don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

So far, 115 have been confirmed as positive in the UK, with eight of those in the East of England. And yesterday, a woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions was the UK's first fatality was announced.