A 21-year-old woman from Tennessee who bragged online about not taking seriously social distancing advice surrounding Covid-19 has contracted the deadly virus herself.

Ireland Tate, from Nashville, joked on social media about how she thought she would not contract the virus and ventured outside with a group of friends - despite strict instructions to stay at home amid the global pandemic.

However, days after posting the video Tate tested positive for the deadly illness, according to WZTV.

She has reported respiratory problems, a tightness in her chest, and even blood from too much coughing.

Tate is believed to be at home with her parents under quarantine.

Within days of saying she wouldn't get Covid-19, Tate was suffering with symptoms

Tate before her coronavirus diagnosis saying 'I get it' - she would fall ill only days later

She has since recanted on her initial position of making fun of social distancing measures and is urging other people to take the advice seriously.

Previously, Tate had taken to social media, saying: 'So, I'm aware that we're supposed to be self-quarantining and social distancing, all these things to keep everyone safe.

'Cool. I get it. I just don't think that I'm going to get the virus.'

Within days of saying that Tate was suffering with symptoms associated with Covid-19.

Tate, after her Covid-19 diagnosis, wearing a blue medial mask and looking a bit sheepish

Ireland Tate smiling with friends

Tate has said since she believes she caught the virus from friends who, like her, failed to take seriously directives against group gatherings.

She and a group of 20 friends decided to get together at a mutual friend's house, ignoring calls from Nashville city leaders to stay separated.

In a subsequent video Tate says: 'It feels like someone is sitting on my chest at all times.

'It's really hard to breathe. I've coughed until my throat has bled.'

She has gone on to say that while coronavirus may not appear to affect certain people who are infected, 'you could be affecting someone's grandma or grandpa or aunt or uncle or sister.'

Coronavirus was initially believed to be particularly contagious among the elderly - but in recent weeks more and more young people have also fallen victim.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned younger generations they are not immune to the virus, urging them to avoid socializing and potentially passing Covid-19 to older and more vulnerable people.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the choice young people make about social distancing can be the difference 'between life and death'.

'I have a message for young people: You are not invincible, this virus could put you in hospital for weeks or even kill you.

'Even if you don't get sick the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else,' said Tedros speaking at an online news conference.

Jaquan Anderson, 17, from New Orleans, became the second child in the US who is believed to have died from Covid-19, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

It is still unclear if he had any underlying medical conditions. His death, announced Wednesday, is being investigated further.

William Whang from California, also 17, passed away last Wednesday and was not confirmed to have coronavirus until after he died.

An investigation is pending to determine if it was in fact the virus that killed him.

Doctor James Hildreth, who is president of Meharry Medical College in Nashville and sits on the city's Covid-19 task force, said Ireland Tate's case should serve as a warning sign to other people thinking about flouting social distancing measures.