‘We’re living separate lives in the same home’

Covid-19 sufferer Di Dowinton is continuing her recovery at home having been discharged from hospital on Tuesday.

She was admitted to the PEH on 23 March and her positive test for the virus was confirmed on Saturday.

A fundraising appeal for nurses which her daughter, Mel Taylor, set up in the hope of raising £500 passed the £3,000 figure yesterday.

Mrs Taylor said it was amazing to have her mother home and they were now having to get used to living apart while in the same house as both had to self-isolate separately.

‘We each have our own bedroom and bathroom, mum has the lounge and I have the kitchen,’ said Mrs Taylor.

Coloured Post-it notes have been stuck to light switches, door handles and the likes to show who could touch what.

After preparing food, Mrs Taylor said she had to ‘glove-up’ before leaving her mother’s food on a tray on a table outside the lounge and do it again with new gloves when collecting.

Both are currently awaiting test results for the virus.

While her mother’s recovery would take some time, Mrs Taylor said the current position was much better than it had been 10 days ago.

‘When I spoke to her in hospital and said that everybody sent their love she told me it was not enough,’ said Mrs Taylor.

‘I put the phone down and cried as I really thought we were losing her.’

Her mother is picking up slowly and showing signs of her old self.

‘She was moaning that she couldn’t get on Facebook, which is hardly surprising as the amount of messages we have had has probably crashed the system,’ said Mrs Taylor, who had last seen her mother on the day she was admitted to hospital.

‘People have been so kind and the amount of support and well-wishing has been phenomenal. It was a key thing in keeping me going and getting me through this, especially when I was here [her mother’s house] on my own.’

Following an emotional video plea on Facebook which was shared with The Guernsey Press, Mrs Taylor had responses from a Guernsey woman who now lives in Florida and from people in places as far afield as France, Denmark and Australia.

She and her mother were eternally grateful to all those who had donated to the fund.

n Donations can be made to fund at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/peh-meltaylor-covid19