A Liverpool mum whose young daughter has shown Coronavirus symptoms has urged people to stay inside to stop the illness spreading.
Kayleigh O'Neill recently called an ambulance to her Netherley home when her daughter's condition began to deteriorate. Lexie, 8, had been suffering from fever type symptoms and a high temperature.
But Kayleigh, a mum-of-two, decided not to let the paramedics take her daughter to hospital.
She said: "I could not let them do it. She is so young and I could not cope with being away from her.
"They agreed and let Lexie stay home with me.. But if her breathing is affected we will phone 999 and let an ambulance taker her in. We need to monitor her closely."
Kayleigh told the ECHO she has had to try and separate Lexie from her little sister, Ellise, but that it was not easy.
She said: "It's hard but I am doing my best. There is my partner Mark, me and my daughters in one house."
Kayleigh said: "She (Lexie) is so worried and scared. It's heartbreaking."
The latest official figures have revealed that 1,019 people have died in UK hospitals after being diagnosed with coronavirus, while 17,089 have tested positive and hundreds of thousands more are thought to be infected.
The number of coronavirus cases in Liverpool hit 100 - taking Merseyside's total to over 200 for the first time during the pandemic.
Public Health England figures show an increase within 24 hours of 28 in the city, 10 in Wirral, six in Sefton, 15 in St Helens and three in Knowsley.
In an effort to stem the tide of cases, visitors have been banned from all hospitals, with exceptions for dying patients, children and during childbirth.
Kayleigh posted a message on social media during the early hours of Saturday morning. It read : "I've had so many message the last few days thank you.
"As most of you are aware Lexie has been quite poorly, so tonight we called 111 for her and they sent an ambulance.
"3 days of constant high temperatures near and if not over 40, headaches and fast breathing, her body is so tired. Suspected covid 19.
"I have just had to sit and plead (I mean plead) with them to let me keep her home because with this house being in isolation and me having all symptoms last week Lexie would have been taken away from me on her own, that scary place all alone (this is what the paramedic and doctor on the phone said to me).
"Me and Mark have 48 hours (with it already being 3 days) pending she doesn't deteriorate anymore and the red flags we have been told to look out for don't appear then sadly it's out of our hands (her body can only fight so much)
"We will be saying all our prayers tonight and hope we don't get to that.
"Please please stay at home this is real it's happening do it if not for you but your loved ones and family, this what we are feeling that dreaded fear and panic for our little girl its breaking our hearts, this isn't to scare anyone but to show this can happen to any of us, this virus doesn't discriminate."
Kayleigh told the ECHO that while her family was adhering to the lockdown, not everyone was.
She said: "I have seen large families out shopping together. And kids are playing together in the park near my house.
"People need to listen to what the government is saying - stay in - stay in - stay in. It stops the virus from spreading."
