Facebook hit doctor contracts COVID-19
Ninewells respiratory consultant thanks well-wishers
A Perthshire doctor who has gone viral with his Facebook posts about COVID-19 has contracted the disease.
Dr Tom Fardon, a respiratory consultant at Ninewells Hospital, took to Facebook this week to announce he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
But he has told the PA he is feeling “much better” and thanked all his well-wishers for their support.
Dr Fardon has gathered a substantial following on Facebook since the virus hit Scotland.
Born in Barnsley and educated at Cambridge, where he met his GP wife Emma, Dr Fardon has been sharing detailed analysis of the respiratory disease and its impact since it hit Scotland.
Dr Fardon, who is also a reader at Dundee University, has given detailed answers to questions about testing, social distancing and PPE amongst others, as well as sharing numerous graphs.
His post late on Tuesday related to the testing of healthcare workers and the need for it. He told followers NHS Tayside had tested 1000 health care workers, which had allowed over 700 workers to return to work.
He added: “There was a point a couple of weeks ago where we tested more HCW (health care workers) in Tayside, than were tested in England.
He later added an addendum to his post explaining what prompted him to write specifically about the testing of health care workers.
Dr Fardon wrote: “Part of the reason for writing about HCW testing was that I had to be tested today, having had symptoms of sore throat and headache this morning straight after my ward round.
“From contacting the hub to getting a test was one hour, and the results nine hours after that an amazing turnaround ....
“My swab is positive, so I have COVID, and will be isolating for seven days.
“I feel OK - it just feels like a head cold, and sore throat. I have no fever, no breathlessness, and I’m not too tired.
“On the positive side, it gives me more time to get on with that next FB post!”
Dr Fardon is now recuperating at home in the Carse of Gowrie with his wife and sons.
He told the PA yesterday (Thursday, April 16): “Today
I feel much better. The main symptoms on Tuesday were a sore throat, headache and tiredness.
“I’ve had some chest wall muscle pains, which are now starting to settle. I’ve been lucky that the symptoms haven’t been worse. The key has been to isolate myself early, minimise the risk to other people, and get plenty of rest.”
The NHS Tayside doctor has been overwhelmed by the support he has received over the past few weeks.
He said: “I initially wrote on Facebook to allay some of the fear my friends had after reading some news stories about COVID-19.
“Each post I’ve written has been shared more times than the last. It is an unusual feeling to know that thousands of people are reading my posts, rather than the usual 10, but the response has been amazing.
“I have had a lot of messages to thank me for the posts.
“Most people are grateful for a clear explanation of what is a complex topic, and I think having someone explain what’s happening locally is very reassuring to people.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the get well messages in the last 48 hours.”
He took the time to thank others on the frontline, saying: “I can’t emphasise enough how much of a whole team effort the COVID-19 response has been.
“From the front line doctors in the COVID unit, many of whom volunteered for the role, to the portering staff, the domestic staff who deep clean the rooms, the virology staff in the labs, the people who have moved to new roles, and the teams who have moved to new areas to continue their work.
“Everyone I know in NHS Tayside has been part of the COVID response.”
He finished with this reminder: “The best way to avoid catching COVID-19 is to stay at home when you can, stay two metres apart from other people when you’re out and wash your hands often.
“We’re all in this together.”