Juventus defender Daniele Rugani’s girlfriend Michela Persico described feeling ‘terrified’ after learning she was pregnant and COVID-19 positive.
Rugani was the first Serie A player to test positive for the coronavirus in March and his partner was also contaminated, but the fact she was pregnant at the time added a new level of worry.
“I am fine now, but fortunately I only had mild symptoms: loss of smell and taste, a fever, fatigue. Compared to many others, Daniele and I were very fortunate,” Persico told Tuttosport.
Juventus defender Daniele Rugani’s girlfriend Michela Persico described feeling ‘terrified’ after learning she was pregnant and COVID-19 positive.
Rugani was the first Serie A player to test positive for the coronavirus in March and his partner was also contaminated, but the fact she was pregnant at the time added a new level of worry.
“I am fine now, but fortunately I only had mild symptoms: loss of smell and taste, a fever, fatigue. Compared to many others, Daniele and I were very fortunate,” Persico told Tuttosport.
“The biggest issue was the fear about this pregnancy and being alone, seeing as Daniele was ill too and self-isolating, not to mention worry for my family. My parents in Bergamo told me they constantly heard ambulance sirens in the streets and nothing else. This was still the start of March.
“The day I found out Daniele had tested positive, I just assumed that I was too. It was like my brain short-circuited, thinking of all the ways this could affect the baby. This is such a new virus, we don’t know the effects and consequences for pregnancy, so it was terrifying for those first few days and I was calling everyone for advice.
“Fortunately, after being reassured by the doctors, I managed to keep my head. I created a daily routine for the lockdown, which in my case lasted for 35 days.
“I was particularly stunned by the support I received on social media, not just from Juventus fans. He too felt the affection that goes beyond just being part of a football team.”