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Chloe Middleton
Chloe Middleton, from High Wycombe, died from the virus on 21 March, according to her mother and aunt. Photograph: Facebook
Chloe Middleton, from High Wycombe, died from the virus on 21 March, according to her mother and aunt. Photograph: Facebook

UK woman, 21, with no health issues dies from Covid-19, family say

This article is more than 4 years old

Death of Chloe Middleton shows how dangerous virus is to all, family say

The family of a 21-year-old woman from Buckinghamshire have said she has died from coronavirus, which if confirmed would make her the youngest victim of the disease in the UK so far.

Chloe Middleton, from High Wycombe, died from the virus on 21 March, according to her mother and aunt. Health officials have not confirmed the death or its cause.

Her aunt said Middleton had no underlying health issues and the family said her death showed how dangerous the disease was.

Quick Guide

What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms in the UK

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Symptoms are defined by the NHS as either:

  • a high temperature - you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
  • a new continuous cough - this means you've started coughing repeatedly

NHS advice is that anyone with symptoms should stay at home for at least 7 days.

If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home.

After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine. But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days.

If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.

If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.

After 7 days, if you no longer have a high temperature you can return to your normal routine.

If you still have a high temperature, stay at home until your temperature returns to normal.

If you still have a cough after 7 days, but your temperature is normal, you do not need to continue staying at home. A cough can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.

Staying at home means you should:

  • not go to work, school or public areas
  • not use public transport or taxis
  • not have visitors, such as friends and family, in your home
  • not go out to buy food or collect medicine – order them by phone or online, or ask someone else to drop them off at your home

You can use your garden, if you have one. You can also leave the house to exercise – but stay at least 2 metres away from other people.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus, use the NHS 111 coronavirus service to find out what to do.

Source: NHS England on 23 March 2020

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Writing on Facebook, her mother, Diane Middleton, said: “To all the people out there that thinks it’s just a virus please think again. Speaking from a personal experience this so-called virus has taken the life of my 21-year-old daughter.”

And her aunt, Emily Mistry wrote: “My beautiful, kind hearted 21 year old niece (Chloe) has passed away from Covid-19. She had no underlying health issues.”

She added: “My loved ones are going through the most unimaginable pain, we are shattered beyond belief. The reality of this virus is only just unfolding before our very eyes. Please, please adhere to government guidelines.”

On Sunday the NHS suggested an 18-year-old male had died from coronavirus, but it has since emerged that the teenager had tested positive for the disease in a hospital in Coventry but died from an unrelated condition.

On Tuesday the NHS announced 87 more people had died from the disease in the UK in the biggest daily rise to date. They included a 33-year-old.

The UK’s figures do not include Britons who have died overseas. The latest British victim abroad was the UK’s deputy ambassador to Hungary, Steven Dick, who died in hospital in Budapest on Tuesday.

He was 37 and had been with the Foreign Office since 2008. His parents, Steven and Carol Dick, said: “Steven was a much-loved son, grandson and nephew. He was kind, funny and generous. It was always his dream to work for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and he was very happy representing our country overseas.”

Shaun Walker, the Guardian’s central and eastern Europe correspondent, said: “He was a jovial, intellectually curious and extremely helpful person. Early last week he helped coordinate arrangements for me to get back into the country, and mentioned that he had tested positive for coronavirus, but at that time said he was feeling fine.”

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