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RTÉ presenter Claire Byrne says coronavirus left her `struggling for breath'

RTE presenter Claire Byrne has spoken of her own experience after she tested positive for coronavirus. Picture: RTE
RTE presenter Claire Byrne has spoken of her own experience after she tested positive for coronavirus. Picture: RTE RTE presenter Claire Byrne has spoken of her own experience after she tested positive for coronavirus. Picture: RTE

An RTÉ presenter has told of how coronavirus left her "struggling for breath".

Broadcaster Claire Byrne said she did not believe she had Covid-19 until she tested positive.

The 44-year-old mother-of-two, who is now in self-isolation, said her diagnosis left her feeling shocked, guilty and worried that she may have unknowingly passed the virus on.

Speaking about her experience, the presenter said she had been displaying symptoms, which she had assumed was a head cold or a chest infection however she had no temperature at any stage.

Addressing her viewers as she presented her show, Claire Byrne Live, from her home via video-link, Ms Byrne said she was tested for the virus at a Health Service Executive facility, where a nurse took a swab from her throat and nasal passage.

She revealed that over the course of the next few days, her "symptoms got worse" and during the past week, she has suffered from aching limbs and fatigue.

For three successive nights, she also had a "hacking cough" and was "becoming breathless."

At one point she said: "I was getting to the point where I was struggling for breath."

Ms Byrne said her "symptoms have abated" and she is now "through the worst of it."