A YOUNG Irish nurse has pleaded with the public to resist the temptation to leave the house this weekend, urging everyone to stick to government guidelines in order to contain the spread of coronavirus.
23-year-old Emma Biggar, originally from Dublin, is working in London and is currently hospitalised after contracting coronavirus.
She posted a video to twitter, urging everyone to stay indoors, because "you don't realise when it's going to be a friend, a family member or a neighbour that contracts this virus".
Ms Biggar went on to describe her symptoms and the care she was getting, before insisting that she was "one of the lucky ones" because her illness seemed to be clearing up.
"This is day six of Covid-19, I'm in St Vincent's University Hospital where I'm being looked after so well by all the staff here. They are trying to keep me comfortable at all times," she said.
"My symptoms have been quite mixed. I've had a few spikes of temperatures, I've had burning in my chest, a sore throat, no taste or smell, and my main symptom is I can't keep any food or drink down at the moment.
"I've just come on [twitter] to let you guys know the importance of social distancing and the government guidelines.
"You just don't realise when it's going to be a friend, a family member or a neighbour that contracts this virus. I never in a million years thought I'd be sending something like this, explaining my story, let alone having it.
"So please just read up on the guidelines and do what you're told.
"I know it's Easter weekend this weekend and most of you will want to see family members or friends. Please just stick to your household.
"Go for a walk with a household member, and not for too long, and not close to other people. Cross the road if you have to.
"Please, it's not going to last forever, and it's going to save lives. Like mine or other people, I'm one of the lucky ones doing well so far and I hope I'm going in the right direction now."