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A Mansfield man who contracted coronavirus on a skiing holiday in Italy has warned about about the 'very real" reality of Covid-19 after it triggered his severe asthma.

Fenn Radford, of Mansfield Woodhouse, was travelling with four friends to a ski resort in Sauze d’Oulx - but the group returned home early due to the country's serious coronavirus crisis.

Mr Radford, 23, began feeling unwell soon after his return to the UK so he rang 111 for advice, where he was told to attend King's Mill Hospital and meet "someone in full protective equipment" for a coronavirus test.

However, upon his arrival he spent more than an hour "in panic" waiting for the specialists to arrive - with his symptoms triggering an asthma attack as he waited.

People with asthma have been listed by the government as being at-risk to the symptoms of coronavirus, with people advised to self-isolate for up to 12 weeks to prevent catching Covid-19.

Since he returned from Italy, the 23-year-old says his breathing "hasn't been right" and that he will remain in isolation until all Covid-19 symptoms have gone.

He wants to tell his story as a warning to the public that contracting coronavirus is "quite scary", but urged people with severe conditions like asthma "not to panic too much".

"The day I got back I had a little scare, at the time I thought I was having an asthma attack", he said.

"I've had asthma all my life and suffered attacks before, so I rang 111 and they advised me to go up to the hospital and wait outside A&E where someone will be waiting in full protective equipment.

"They thought I could possibly have contracted it on holiday.

"After panicking in the car for over an hour, three workers came out in the full body suits, masks, gloves, and carried out simple observations in the car park before taking me inside.

"They carried out further observations, swabbed me to test for the Covid-19 virus and treated me for my asthma. They were happy with the observations and sent me home back to isolation.

"Since then my breathing hasn’t been right and I received a call two days later to confirm I tested positive for Covid-19.

"Since finding out I was positive I have received calls off of numerous health workers who have been extremely helpful and calmed my anxiety.

"However, my experience with Covid-19 has been and still is quite scary, but thankfully I have amazing support from my family and friends."

Mr Radford added that contracting the virus with asthma "isn't nice at all", but after a week with symptoms is "doing okay".

He said: "It is very real and there are 100 percent numerous cases around Mansfield and the surrounding areas, so please look after yourselves and think about the vulnerable amongst us.

"For any one who has asthma and contracts the disease, it isn’t nice at all but I’m around a week into it and I’m doing okay. People should try not to panic too much.

"I’ve self isolated since the day I returned from Italy, I haven’t even seen my family and I’ve taken all the precautions necessary."