Most people who suffer from coronavirus symptoms can recover at home without the need for medical intervention. But some patients fall seriously ill with the disease, and knowing when to call 999 can be a difficult decision to make.
When Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd fell ill with the virus, he spoke of his uncertainty about what to do. He called 111, who, to his surprise, said an ambulance would be sent to him straight away because of his symptoms. "I think I was relieved to be taken seriously.
There’s a credibility thing", Mr Lloyd told the Guardian. "You don’t want to ring up and someone says you’re acting daft, you’ve just got an ingrowing toenail or whatever." Getting help at that stage turned out to be crucial for Mr Lloyd - he spent 25 days