Coronavirus: North Creake councillor in isolation after positive test

A West Norfolk councillor has spoken about feeling lethargic and being without taste or smell after recently testing positive for coronavirus.

Sam Sandell, who lives in North Creake, said she cannot fault the NHS Test and Trace system or her local surgery as she has received regular updates and checks on her phone during her period of self-isolation.

The councillor, who represents the Burnham Market and Docking ward, tested positive on December 27 after her daughter and partner had tested positive on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day respectively.

She said: "I had no symptoms but felt I better go for a test after my daughter and partner came back positive. Once all the positive symptoms started to appear, we were all very lethargic and it affected the joints in my leg.

"It has affected us in different ways. My daughter felt very tired, my partner has had a horrendous cough but none of us have really had a fever. It's been very strange.

"I have to say, not knowing where we got it from is scary. It could have been my daughter's friend, it could have been school or it may have been from the supermarket.

"The lady at the test centre told me hundreds of people who have coronavirus are walking around feeling fit and healthy with no symptoms, so they continue to walk around and carry on with their daily lives."

The councillor said her daughter, who attends sixth form in Fakenham, had found out her friend had tested positive a couple of days before Christmas Eve.

But she does not know if this is the reason for the positive tests in her household, as she continues to self-isolate until January 6.

Being without taste has proven to be a strange experience for Ms Sandell who has recently stopped drinking coffee and tea because it tastes like water.

She continued: "Yesterday was probably the first time I felt like a human being although I fell asleep in the afternoon which is not like me.

"I can imagine it's quite frightening if you live on your own or elderly. It was a good six days of feeling very rough. I woke up on Sunday feeling over the worst of it, but was then short of breath and felt weak.

"As part of being a councillor, I tell people to listen to the advice. Coming out of self-isolation, people are wary of mixing and even more nervous. I have been really fit and healthy for months then suddenly, bang, I tested positive and do not know where I got it from."

She has been able to edit supermarket home delivery orders to inform them she is in self-isolation.

Regarding the support received from NHS Test and Trace, and her Burnham surgery, she added: "For me personally, I have found it to be very good. I was not expecting them to ring me up and the app says I am still isolating for another two days.

"I have been well-informed and they have kept an eye on us."

Her daughter Ellie will be resuming her studies on January 8 with home learning taking place online.

Ms Sandell said the school had been "very informative", sending regular emails to keep parents informed during the difficult circumstances.