AN ARDROSSAN care worker has spoken out about the ‘worst time of her life’ after she caught coronavirus twice within seven months last year.

Michelle Lamont, 50, first tested positive for the virus in April 2020 and then again in November.

The 50-year-old hopes that her story will encourage residents to follow the current restrictions.

Michelle told the Herald: “Back in April I felt sluggish at work and I just thought it was because of night shift and you just feel like that sometimes.

“I then went for a test and it was positive and I was devastated because gradually as it went on I became more ill.

“I have never felt so ill in my life. It was horrible.

“I was in bed for three weeks and could barely get out.

“I could hardly sip water, I could not sleep, I was having palpitations, and a headache that would not go away until I got medication from my doctor.

“My taste and smell were gone.

“It was a very dark time. I just did not know what each day was going to bring.

“I felt very weak and breathless.

“Even going to the bathroom I felt exhausted as if I had been out a long run.

“I lost weight and I was a horrible colour.

“I had no concentration. I could not watch TV or read. I just lay and watched night going into day.

“It was a horrible time."

After recovering from the virus in the summer Michelle went back to work.

However, after several months of negative PCR tests she was ‘stunned’ to find out she had tested positive for coronavirus again.

She said: “The second time I just got flashbacks to the first time and I burst out crying that I had tested positive again.

“It was at the weekend and I was making the dinner for my family when Public Health Scotland told me the news.

“It was a horrible feeling. I just thought I cannot go through this again. I was stunned when I was told.

“Self-isolation is the hardest.

“You think too much when you are on your own.

“For a fortnight my family had to self-isolate too. It was horrible.

“The headache came back and was more severe.

“I had a temperature and palpitations.

“I was left so tired and had to get stronger medication for the headache.

“It was mentally draining.

“It was very hard, lying in your thoughts and hoping my family was safe.

“My oldest daughter looked after me.

“To be looked after is a very hard feeling to get my head around as I had never had that before.”

Following her ordeal Michelle is urging residents to follow the current restrictions in place.

The care worker believes that people should think about the risk they could be bringing back to their family and vulnerable people if they break rules.

She said: “It was the worst time of my life. I look back now and the whole situation was horrible.

“It has changed me as a person.

“I would not wish this on my worst enemy. The rules and restrictions are there for a reason.

“They are trying to keep everyone safe.

“I get angry when I see people post on social media about house parties.

“It is a very selfish thing to do not thinking about your family or loved ones that are vulnerable.

“I just want people to know you can get the virus and I got it twice.

“It is real and it is a horrible virus that drains you mentally and physically.

“What I experienced will never leave me and I still worry about getting it again.”

She added: “Other countries around the world are going back to normality and I want to see that for us but we need to stick to the rules.”