An expectant mother who was believed coronavirus conspiracy theories has said she "would not wish" the illness on anyone after catching the virus.
Tori Howell, from the Forest of Dean, believed the pandemic was a hoax until she started developing coronavirus symptioms on Sunday evening.
The 28-year-old, who is 22 weeks pregnant, was confirmed to have caught the virus three days later.
She told GloucestershireLive that she now takes back everything she said which denied the truth.
Miss Howell said: “I used to listen to every conspiracy theory and believed everything against the reality of what I know now.
“I had been poorly since Sunday and lost my sense of taste and smell.
“It started with a cold and headache and then sickness.
“Now I am really breathless. I am on steroids and antibiotics as I am asthmatic anyway.
“I got to say yesterday was my worst day.”
Despite Miss Howell feeling very breathless and unwell, she says her baby seems to be doing well.
She said: “There are no concerns about the baby at the moment. In fact he has never moved so much which is good.”
Miss Howell is on what is described by her as a "virtual ward". She has to monitor her lung output and self observe to send results on to the doctor.
Miss Howell said: “I have to take my observations and send them through online and a doctor will give me a call to check that I am okay. They have been really good.
“I read so many things online about the virus and I honestly thought it was a load of rubbish as for months I did not know anyone with it.
“On Monday I thought to myself that this cold was not normal. Sounds crazy but it tastes different.
“I took a test to be on the safe side and I was not expecting it to come back positive.
“This virus is real.
“I take back all I ever said before.
“My message to people is to please stay home. The NHS has been brilliant but I would not wish this on anyone.”
