North Yorkshire mayor's wife struck down by coronavirus symptoms

The mayor of Harrogate has issued a desperate plea for people to stay at home after his wife was diagnosed with coronavirus.
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Coun Stuart Martin and his wife April are currently in self-isolation at their home after she was last week struck down with Covid-19 symptoms.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service today, he said: “April is normally a fit and healthy person, and she has no underlying health conditions, but it just whacked her for six.

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“It was last Monday when her symptoms first started showing and at the end of the day we took the decision to put ourselves in self-isolation.

Coun Stuart Martin and his wife AprilCoun Stuart Martin and his wife April
Coun Stuart Martin and his wife April

“She is absolutely exhausted and has still got the cough, but her breathing and temperature is getting better so it seems like she is coming around.

“But we are not taking any chances. We have got daughters and six grandchildren and we do not want to pass it onto them – so we have got the front door locked and are staying at home.”

Coun Martin says he has been left angered by people who have ignored government advice on social distancing.

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He said: “It has been really frustrating watching what is happening at the minuet with people not adhering to the advice.

“I have had several emails from colleagues saying people have been ignoring what they have been told – with people queuing to get into popular tourist destinations like Whitby and Scarborough.

“It is crazy and ludicrous. Some people are just not listening and think they are immune.

“What has happened with April has been a massive shock to us – so my message to people is just please listen to what you have been told. Self-isolate if you have to and stick to the social distancing rules.”

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Coun Martin is also calling on shoppers to stop buying more than they need at supermarkets.

He said: “I cannot overemphasise for people to stay at home, but if you do need to go to the shop, for goodness sake please stop panic buying.”

Coun Martin’s calls come as further emergency legislation powers aimed at tackling the pandemic are being debated by MPs.

Meanwhile, the NHS has said it has identified – and is contacting – 1.5 million of the most at-risk people who should now stay at home for 12 weeks.

In a message on Twitter, Coun Martin also said: “Having spent the six days in isolation because April has the virus I know it’s not easy but this virus is awful and kills.”