The mother of a baby who was struck down with coronavirus says she couldn't bear to be tested for the deadly bug for fear of finding out she had given it to her.
Tracy Maguire's newborn daughter Peyton was diagnosed with Covid-19 when she was just three weeks old, while a patient in the neonatal unit at University Hospital Wishaw.
The infant, who had been born eight weeks premature on March 26 weighing just 3lbs 5oz, received her positive diagnosis on April 15, the Daily Record reports.
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Peyton's devastated parents were initially told they would need to stay away from her for 14 days to avoid catching the bug themselves.
But after Tracy, of Bellshill in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, pleaded not to be separated from her baby, she was allowed to isolate with her in hospital.
She told the Daily Record she has no idea how tiny Peyton contracted the virus.
The 26-year-old said: "I guess we'll never know how she caught it.
"Myself or AJ weren't tested because we didn't have any symptoms. I didn't feel like there was a need for us to be tested.
"All we cared about was getting Peyton better and making sure she was safe.
"We couldn't have lived with the guilt if we knew she had gotten it from one of us.
"We always wore a mask when we held her and followed all of the measures in place in the hospital."
Tracy said the positive diagnosis on April 15 came as a complete shock to the couple.
She added: "We couldn't believe it when we were told she had it.
"It hadn't even crossed our minds that it could have been that.
"All she had was a runny nose
"I was sobbing and really worried about how it could affect her respiratory system, her lungs and if it was life threatening.
"We were told we’d have to stay away from Peyton for 14 days and isolate at home but I pleaded not to be apart from my baby for that long.
"The staff kindly agreed I could to isolate with her in the hospital while AJ stayed at home."
Peyton touched the nation’s hearts when she featured on BBC News on Monday night, in a report on the incredible efforts of staff at the Wishaw hospital.
She is thought to be Scotland's youngest coronavirus patient.
Thankfully, following two negative tests, Peyton has now recovered from the virus and has been discharged from hospital.
Digital marketing student Tracy said: "We are just so happy to have her home with us. It's the safest place for her to be. She's our little fighter and it's such a relief to know she has come through this. The outcome could have been so different.
"I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of the hospital staff who cared for Peyton. They were amazing and risked their own life to save hers.
“Only someone who has been in our position can understand the gratitude we feel towards the hospital staff.”
