Greta Thunberg says it’s likely she contracted Covid-19 during trip to central Europe

Climate activist Greta Thunberg says she has not been tested for Covid-19, in line with the policy in Sweden, but had quarantined herself.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg in New York | File photo | Demetrius Freeman | Bloomberg

New Delhi: Climate activist Greta Thunberg has said that it was “extremely likely” she may have contracted coronavirus during a recent trip around central Europe.

In a post on Instagram Tuesday, the Swedish activist said she has not been tested for the Covid-19 virus in line with the policy in Sweden, but had experienced several symptoms after her return from the trip about two weeks ago with her father.

“Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms, exactly the same time as my father — who traveled with me from Brussels. I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed,” the teenage climate champion said in the post.

Thunberg also said that both she and her father had isolated themselves as a precaution.

“When I returned from my trip around central Europe, I isolated myself (in a borrowed apartment away from my mother and sister) since the number of cases of COVID-19 (in Germany for instance) were similar to Italy in the beginning.”

View this post on Instagram

The last two weeks I’ve stayed inside. When I returned from my trip around Central Europe I isolated myself (in a borrowed apartment away from my mother and sister) since the number of cases of COVID-19 (in Germany for instance) were similar to Italy in the beginning. Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms, exactly the same time as my father – who traveled with me from Brussels. I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed. My dad experienced the same symptoms, but much more intense and with a fever. In Sweden you can not test yourself for COVID-19 unless you’re in need of emergent medical treatment. Everyone feeling ill are told to stay at home and isolate themselves. I have therefore not been tested for COVID-19, but it’s extremely likely that I’ve had it, given the combined symptoms and circumstances. Now I’ve basically recovered, but – AND THIS IS THE BOTTOM LINE: I almost didn’t feel ill. My last cold was much worse than this! Had it not been for someone else having the virus simultainously I might not even have suspected anything. Then I would just have thought I was feeling unusually tired with a bit of a cough. And this it what makes it so much more dangerous. Many (especially young people) might not notice any symptoms at all, or very mild symptoms. Then they don’t know they have the virus and can pass it on to people in risk groups. We who don’t belong to a risk group have an enormous responsibility, our actions can be the difference between life and death for many others. Please keep that in mind, follow the advice from experts and your local authorities and #StayAtHome to slow the spread of the virus. And remember to always take care of each other and help those in need. #COVID #flattenthecurve

A post shared by Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) on Mar 24, 2020 at 8:22am PDT

‘Stay home, be mindful of high risk category’

Thunberg said she has “basically recovered” now but stressed on the need to stay home in order to slow the spread of the virus. She also urged everyone, especially the young, to take the virus seriously and be mindful of those who belong to the high-risk category.

“Our actions can be the difference between life and death for many others,” she said.

Thunberg’s post received support from several other climate activists, including Genesis Butler, Jamie Margolin and Vanessa Nakate, who commended her on staying home and told her to feel better.

The teenager had earlier also underscored the need to practice social distancing and flatten the coronavirus curve. She had even shared a graph to show how social distancing and listening to experts would help in not contracting the virus.

View this post on Instagram

‪We can’t solve a crisis without treating it as a crisis and we must unite behind experts and science.‬ This of course goes for all crises. Now the experts urge us to avoid big public gatherings for a better chance to #flattenthecurve and slow the spreading of the Coronavirus. ‪So I personally recommend that we do as the experts say. Especially in high-risk areas.‬ We young people are the least affected by this virus but it’s essential that we act in solidarity with the most vulnerable and that we act in the best interest of our common society. ‪The climate and ecological crisis is the biggest crisis humanity has ever faced but for now (of course depending on where you live) we’ll have to find new ways to create public awareness & advocate for change that don’t involve too big crowds – listen to local authorities. ‪So keep your numbers low but your spirits high and let’s take one week at the time.‬ You can join the #DigitalStrike for upcoming Fridays- post a photo of you striking with a sign and use the hashtag #ClimateStrikeOnline ! #fridaysforfuture #climatestrike #schoolstrike4climate

A post shared by Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) on Mar 11, 2020 at 5:08am PDT

Her Friday climate strikes have also been shifted online.

View this post on Instagram

School strike week 82. In a crisis we change our behaviour and adapt to the new circumstances for the greater good of society. You can join the #DigitalStrike by posting a picture of you striking with a sign and use the hashtag #ClimateStrikeOnline ! #schoolstrike4climate #fridaysforfuture #climatestrike #covid_19

A post shared by Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) on Mar 13, 2020 at 1:06am PDT

The coronavirus pandemic, which began in China, has now spread to 198 countries, killed 21,000 and infected more than 4.7 lakh people globally.