Message of caution from Fort survivor

A 21-year-old Fort William girl who became seriously ill from coronavirus has issued a warning to others who may think they are immune to the disease.

Lily Burns was released from Raigmore Hospital in Inverness on Monday after spending 13 frightening days in the COVID unit there.

Having just finished training as a barber in Glasgow, Lily celebrated her 21st birthday at the beginning of March, but little did she know what the next two months would bring.

Posting on Facebook earlier this week Lily said: I feel like I need to write this so people know what happened and how quickly and easily things can change.

‘You think this couldn’t happen to you, but it shouldn’t have happened to me.’

Lily began to feel unwell on Thursday April 16, when she experienced shooting pains in her stomach. After her temperature soared to 39.7 in a matter of hours her family phoned 111.

Having moved back home to Fort William before lockdown, Lily attended the outpatients clinic at Belford Hospital only to be told she had a UTI and possible kidney infection. She was given anti-sickness medication and sent home.

Early the next morning however she was admitted to hospital and over the space of five days was given numerous tests - a coronavirus test proved negative.

By Wednesday April 23, Lily was feeling much better. But at 10pm her world was rocked when a second COVID-19 test came back positive.

‘Over lockdown I had only been to collect prescriptions for my family and necessary shopping. Anyone I saw was at the recommended two metre distance,’ she added.

‘I was also in the 0.2 per cent of people likely to be badly affected by coronavirus, so how could this be so?’

By Thursday April 23, Lily was in a critical condition, being

Lily Burns gives a thumbs up as she is collected from Raigmore hospital by her family.

helped to breath on a ventilator and has no recollection at all of the ensuing seven days.

A week later however a miracle happened. The doctors were able to remove the ventilator and Lily began breathing by herself.

‘By 2pm I was on FaceTime to my family and I have never been so thankful to see them in my life,’ she said.

‘I am so overwhelmed with all the messages I’ve received and it still doesn’t feel real, but I’ve never felt more blessed in my life.

‘I would like to thank the intensive care unit in Raigmore who I literally owe my life to, their practise, support and ability to make me laugh was world class, and these truly are life’s heroes!’