Greta Thunberg says it is 'extremely likely' she has coronavirus

Greta Thunberg has said it is "extremely likely" she has become infected with coronavirus.

The Swedish climate activist revealed that she has self-isolated for the last fortnight as a precaution since returning from her tour of Europe.

She said she has since developed symptoms of Covid-19 along with her father, Savante Thunberg, but has not been tested due to restrictions in Sweden.

The 17-year-old wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday afternoon: "Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms, exactly the same time as my father - who traveled [sic] with me from Brussels.

"I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed. My dad experienced the same symptoms, but much more intense and with a fever.

(AFP via Getty Images)

"In Sweden you can not test yourself for COVID-19 unless you’re in need of emergent medical treatment. Everyone feeling ill are told to stay at home and isolate themselves. I have therefore not been tested for COVID-19, but it’s extremely likely that I’ve had it, given the combined symptoms and circumstances."

Europe has become the epicentre of the pandemic, with cases outpacing China last week, where the outbreak began.

She added that she "almost didn't feel ill" and wants it to be a lesson to others that they should practice social distancing so as not to infect others.

It comes as the UK enters its first day of nationwide lockdown after thousands flouted advice to keep 6ft away from others and avoid large gatherings over the weekend.

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The last two weeks I’ve stayed inside. When I returned from my trip around Central Europe I isolated myself (in a borrowed apartment away from my mother and sister) since the number of cases of COVID-19 (in Germany for instance) were similar to Italy in the beginning. Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms, exactly the same time as my father - who traveled with me from Brussels. I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed. My dad experienced the same symptoms, but much more intense and with a fever. In Sweden you can not test yourself for COVID-19 unless you’re in need of emergent medical treatment. Everyone feeling ill are told to stay at home and isolate themselves. I have therefore not been tested for COVID-19, but it’s extremely likely that I’ve had it, given the combined symptoms and circumstances. Now I’ve basically recovered, but - AND THIS IS THE BOTTOM LINE: I almost didn’t feel ill. My last cold was much worse than this! Had it not been for someone else having the virus simultainously I might not even have suspected anything. Then I would just have thought I was feeling unusually tired with a bit of a cough. And this it what makes it so much more dangerous. Many (especially young people) might not notice any symptoms at all, or very mild symptoms. Then they don’t know they have the virus and can pass it on to people in risk groups. We who don’t belong to a risk group have an enormous responsibility, our actions can be the difference between life and death for many others. Please keep that in mind, follow the advice from experts and your local authorities and #StayAtHome to slow the spread of the virus. And remember to always take care of each other and help those in need. #COVID #flattenthecurve

A post shared by Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) on Mar 24, 2020 at 8:22am PDT

Critics have accused the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven of playing "Russian roulette" with 10m citizens through his 'herd immunity' strategy of allowing broad infections to increase, while protecting vulnerable groups.

Ms Thunberg added: "We who don’t belong to a risk group have an enormous responsibility, our actions can be the difference between life and death for many others.

"Please keep that in mind, follow the advice from experts and your local authorities and #StayAtHome to slow the spread of the virus. And remember to always take care of each other and help those in need."