Jennifer Whitmore was in isolation for two weeks

DEPUTY Jennifer Whitmore finished a period of self-isolation in her home last week, having had symptoms of Covid-19.

She was tested two weeks ago and has yet to receive results. Deputy Whitmore was in a room by herself for 14 days, separated from her husband Tony and four children.

‘On St Patrick’s Day I started having a cough and sore throat,’ she said. ‘I felt bad and decided to go into isolation. We have a daughter with asthma so were being very careful. At that point I thought I just had a cold but I said I’d better go into isolation.’

She and her family had planned for such an event. They were fortunate to have an en-suite room in the house, usually occupied by her daughter who moved to a different room. They had supplies of water, paracetamol, chargers for devices, spare bedclothes and things like that ready to stock up the room.

By the night of Wednesday, March 18, she had a fever and called the doctor the following day and a test was scheduled.

‘I was so lucky,’ said Deputy Whitmore on her situation. ‘My husband was at home and could look after the kids and me. The kids couldn’t come in to the room but they did come and chat at the door.’ Her husband would leave meals at the door. She would then place dishes in a basin and he would take everything away and sterilise it.

She said that the illness was a like a very bad flu. ‘My breathing got very bad,’ she said. She was tested on Wednesday, March 25.

She said that for the first week she was so ill that the isolation itself didn’t get to her. She was sleeping most of the time and trying to do a little work online. The second week was more difficult as she was feeling a little better.

While still unsure if it was in fact Covid-19, Deputy Whitmore said she has no idea how she picked it up. She said that her own contacts were low as they were already staying home most of the time. She contacted people directly with whom she had been in contact.

‘It is hard to self-isolate so anyone who knows anyone doing it, reach out and give them a call. They are long days on your own in the room.’ She said it’s lovely to be back with her family and on the other side of the door.