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From Sussex To Isle Of Wight: Mother's 90-Mile Mission For Coronavirus Test

A mother's desperate search for a coronavirus test resulted in a 90-mile journey to the Isle of Wight.

After daughter Emma - who has Cystic Fibrosis - fell ill, Jane Roberts, from Lewes in East Sussex, says she was advised to book in a test.

Attempts to do so at nearby sites proved unsuccessful, and the Government's online booking website pointed her towards the Island.

Luckily, the results came back negative. But Jane says the overall process - which included two ferry trips - was "just ridiculous".

She told Isle of Wight Radio:

"Emma's respiratory team told us to get a test done because she was unwell. I don't think they knew the problems of getting a test done and they have been quite shocked by this. We went online as Government suggests. I was on there for about five hours. The booking opened up and they just went before my eyes. 

"There are centres in Bexhill which isn't far from Lewes in East Sussex and there were some in London, Canterbury and the only one I could get was the Isle of Wight."

The news comes days after Isle of Wight Radio revealed that delays are being caused by problems at national laboratories.

As a result, some Islanders have been told to travel as far as Bristol for a test.

Director of Public Health for the Isle of Wight could not say when issues would be resolved but did say "you should keep trying" to book a test locally.

Jane says that is not always possible. She says not only did she have to worry about her daughter but also potentially infecting others on the Island:

"When you've got a person with Cystic Fibrosis, you've got this worry of what will the virus do with someone with Cystic Fibrosis. It's not just a matter of sit there and wait, we had to get this done immediately...

"...I had the worry of what if I infect how many people on the Isle of Wight? I felt guilty, I felt awful. It was like walking round with the plague in some ways."

Jane says the pair sat in the car for most of the day, before finding an empty beach in Shanklin to prevent spreading the virus (which Emma later tested negative for).

Government guidance currently states anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 (severe or not) should not use public transportation. However, Jane says she was simply left with no choice.

Anyone displaying symptoms, who require use of the ferries, should get in contact with the respective operator. 

Jane says Emma is still not well, but is "relieved" she does not have the virus.

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