The woman, who asked not to be named, said she developed quite severe ‘flu-like symptoms after returning from a holiday in the Veneto.

She got home on February 17 but became ill last Saturday just as the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy was becoming apparent.

“I woke up with aches and pains and developed a fever,” she explained.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride (right), flanked by Dr Philip Veal (consultant in health protection), announces the first positive NI coronavirus case in Belfast on Thursday night

“I rang my GP on Monday, February 24, and said I had a fever, cough and was out of breath and that I had been in Italy for a week, Venice then the rest.

“She told me to treat it as a normal ‘flu unless Italy goes into the same criteria as China. So I kept an eye on the Public Health Agency (PHA) advice and then Northern Italy was listed.”

The woman looked on anxiously as the death toll from the SARS-CoV-2 caused COVID-19 disease in Italy slowly began to rise.

“I rang PHA and they told me to self isolate for 14 days until I’m symptom free. Sneeze and cough into tissues. Put them into a bag and tie it. Double the bag. Don’t put the bag in a wheelie bin until I’m 14 days symptom-free. Clean all surfaces daily wearing gloves and an apron. Wash hands for 45 seconds using liquid soap as much as possible. Use hand sanitiser. Change bed daily. Bag all laundry and do not use a laundry service. Don’t do any washing until I’m 14 days symptom free. They gave me a shopping list for someone else to get me or to get on delivery saying that any deliveries had to be left on the door step and the door was not to be opened until the delivery driver left.”

The patient was told not to use public transport and not to go to the shops, the chemist, her GP or the hospital and to ring an ambulance if she needed medical attention.

“I have a fever. The cough is worse. It’s like a bark now. My throat’s a bit sore. I don’t have much energy. My sinuses are beat but my breathing is not deteriorating. It’s not normal but I can breath okay.”

She says the physical symptoms of her illness, whether it is the ‘flu or not, are less concerning than the anxiety caused by the uncertainty of not knowing, especially given her recent travel history.

“It would have been better to be told I don’t have it because it’s worrying obviously, for me and others.

“My mother came out to see me but I’d prefer she stayed away.

“She’s older and doesn’t need to be getting sick,” she stated.

The PHA has issued the following advice for anyone concerned they may have come into contact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Based on the rapidly evolving situation globally travellers who have visited countries considered to be at higher risk of COVID-19 are being asked to self-isolate EVEN IF THEY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS.

Please CALL your GP, out of hours GP or emergency department. Please DO NOT visit in person before speaking to someone.

If you are NOT registered with a GP in Northern Ireland, please contact your local Emergency Department by checking pha.site/emergency-healthcare-nidirect