Two young women who've experienced the after effects of having COVID-19 are urging young people to follow the guidelines and protect others around them.
There's growing concern from the Government and health officials at the rise in cases among people aged under 34.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly today warned that some younger people are getting very sick and some are dying from the virus in Europe - including a small number here in Ireland.
For today's The Hard Shoulder, reporter Stephen Murphy spoke to two young women who've had lasting issues after contracting COVID-19.
They have a strong message for any other young people who might be underestimating the danger from the virus.
Anna and Noelle are in their early 30s and both tested positive for #COVID19 months ago.
They’re still struggling with the after effects of having it - and have a strong message for other young people
Hear their stories in my report @TheHardShoulder at 5:15 pic.twitter.com/UOiLv3MvFL— Stephen Murphy (@StephenMNews) September 25, 2020
Noelle
Noelle is in her early 30s, and from Macroom in Co Cork.
Before the pandemic, she was fit and healthy and went to the gym five times a week.
She tested positive for coronavirus in March, and six months later she's still dealing with the after effects.
Noelle hasn't been back to the gym at all, and has had to cut back her work hours because she has so little energy.
She said: "I'd be tired from walking down the stairs... I got these really bad headaches around June, that felt like there were needles sticking into my head.
"I started developing this numbness on the left side of my face... a kind of tingling. That was very scary, as I actually thought I was having a stroke.
"I felt like an 80-year-old woman... I've never felt anything like it before."
Anna
Anna is also in her early 30s, and from Navan in Co Meath.
She was diagnosed with COVID-19 in August.
Her 72-year-old father - who has diabetes - and her four kids aged between three and 15 also tested positive.
Anna explained that her life hasn't been normal since the diagnosis.
She said: "I used to be able to walk 45 minutes every day, from my house and back again, and I'd be grand.
"Now if I walk ten minutes, sometimes I need to sit down and stop.
"I've pains going up and down my legs and my arms sometimes... I still have that burning smell every so often."
Warning
Over half of new COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks have been among under 34s - something health officials are particularly concerned about.
They're urging people to stick to the current guidelines to stop the virus spreading - and that's a message echoed by Noelle and Anna.
Noelle said: "Your health is at risk... your parents and grandparents are in that age bracket where they might not come back from it.
"If they knew how hard it has been for me... and I know a lot of other people are suffering as well."
Anna added: "Don't wait until it gets you or gets a loved one for you to take it seriously.
"If everybody listens, does what they're told and stopped their social gatherings... then we maybe we might be one step closer to getting our normal lives back again."
