1-Year-Old Hospitalized For COVID-19 After Dad Made A Quick Trip To The Grocery

Peter Jones and his family have been in isolation for approximately three weeks. During that time, they observed a strict lockdown measure. Sometime thereafter, however, Jones broke his family’s stringent isolation to go to the supermarket.

Home Isolation

After Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the imposition of new and stricter measures in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, the Jones family went into home isolation. According to reports, they have not gone out of their homes for the entire three weeks.

The British government has ordered a total lockdown in the entire United Kingdom starting midnight of March 23. Authorities said that under lockdown rules, residents are allowed to go their houses for one of four specific and valid reasons.

These are if you will be shopping for necessities, going out for once-a-day exercises, have a medical need or providing care for someone, and traveling to or from work. If you are stopped by the police and are not able to provide one of the four reasons, you may immediately be fined the amount of £60.

A Quick Trip For Food

Jones did not say whether he went somewhere else other than to visit Tesco, presumably to buy supplies for their home. What is clear, though, is that after that single short visit to the supermarket, his family came down with COVID-19 infection. In his Twitter post, Jones, said, “We have been in isolation for 3 weeks, I brought the virus home after a single short visit to Tesco.”

He also said, “3 of us recovered fast our 1 yo was less lucky. My baby boy is in hospital tonight recovering from an infection following #coronavirus.” The Devon father said he was informing everyone about their family’s nightmare to underscore the importance of social distancing and isolation measures. He also highlighted how even a short lockdown break could bring about tragic consequences.

A Similar Message

The Twitter message of Peter Jones is similar to the one being announced in the US. Recently, Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, told Americans that this is not “the moment to not be going to the grocery store or even the pharmacy.” The announcement was made in light of the prediction of health experts that the next two weeks will be the worst for the United States in terms of COVID-19 fatalities.

In the UK, Jones is posting the same warning on Twitter. In a series of tweets he sent out starting Friday, Jones said, “I want people to know that just one trip out can risk it all! Please don’t go out! Stay at home, and protect your love ones! Please share so others can avoid our experience!” His initial message was liked over 23,000 times.

He later updated his followers that his son has been discharged and is now recovering at their home in Devon. He urged people to leave their homes only if there are real emergencies. He then sent out a tweet, saying, “We must try & limit visits and follow the guidance to limit risk. Please stay safe and please try to avoid going out as much as possible.”