Virus is 'no joke' says Wisbech man from his hospital bed

A Wisbech man who says he has been isolating since March has issued a stark warning on covid-19 from his hospital bed.

Brian Tawn is currently being treated on the Gayton Ward at King's Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital - one of the covid wards - after testing positive for the virus.

He posted a video message from his hospital bed to the Wisbech Discussion Forum Facebook page urging people to take the virus seriously and to follow the rules.

He said: "Just to point out to all those that think it's a hoax, that don't believe in it, the people who don't think it necessary to wear a mask, to keep socially distance and don't feel the need to keep separated from other people in shops - this is the real world.

"Next to me and just across from me are two people breathing with the aid of oxygen masks, I'm lucky I don't need such things, not at the moment and hopefully not at all - it is not a joke. Take precautions against it, you can't afford to go mixing in big groups it spreads so easily."

He explains that he and his 75-year-old wife have been isolating since March and have barely been out for weeks except for a couple of occasions to pick up groceries from click and collect at Tesco.

He continued: "Now I'm in hospital with covid, I didn't come in with covid I must admit, I just happened to have a routine test and I came up positive.

"So think on, if you are young and fit and having a jolly good time mixing with your mates - go round your granddad's he might not be quite so lucky when go and visit him. Take care look after yourselves and most of all look after the members of your family because they might be the ones who end up in here not lazing back chatting on a video like me but instead be like the chap just across the corridor struggling to breath through an oxygen mask - he is not good - so take good care of yourselves, be happy, be of good cheer and be kind."