Dad not improving, advice please

[ihavenoidea20]

Hi all.
My dad is in his late 50's, health wise generally ok but is on blood thinners for life as has factor v leiden and has had 3 clots in the past. He tested positive for covid on Mon 8th March.
At first he mostly just felt tired, nothing major. Few days after the loss of taste/smell came, hes also had a headache the entire time.

On day 10 he started to cough, i've spoken to him this morning and he is saying he feels lifeless, he's lost a stone in weight, telling me he feels so bad sometimes that he just wants to die. Can't concentrate and overall just s**t.

Shouldn't he be at least phoning someone for advice now? He just doesn't seem to be improving and i'm getting really concerned especially as he isn't someone who likes to ask for help.

Have you got him an oxygen monitor? What’s it reading at?

How’s his breathing? Can you get a pulse ox monitor to him to check his oxygen levels.
It does sound like he might need looking at though

Maybe call 111 for advice
That sounds a long headache.

Day 10 and 11 are often the tipping point into a more severe illness so I think you're right to be concerned if he's feeling so unwell. It's probably worth him calling 111 for advice at least.

111 and/or A and E .

Covid affected mental state is common, my super pragmatic husband thought that he was dying. If he tested positive with the NHS they should be in regular contact. Get him to check oxygen levels

I've had Covid - got off lightly, but went on the same trajectory as your DF, getting progressively worse for around 10 days. Definitely get an oxygen meter - some GP surgeries are giving these to Covid patients do they can self monitor, otherwise I got one from Amazon for around £30. DH's oxygen levels dropped to 90, we phoned 111 and their advice was monitor hourly & get to A&E if they went below 90. There's no symptoms of low oxygen, you need a meter. Like other have said, he (or you) need to contact 111 for advice.

Call him an ambulance OP, he needs to be assessed

The wisest thing he can do is call 111 and get proper medical advice.
He has a pre existing health condition.
Please don’t faff with saturation probes and comparing his condition to people on the internet.
He needs proper medical assessment for early intervention.
He must ring 111. You cannot ring for him, he must ring himself.

My dad was similar and he had to spend 2 weeks in hospital. I would get him to a hospital x

I'd be calling 111 and GP. If no joy then A&E

For many, including me, the second week of Covid is much worse than the first so it's not unusual to feel awful when on day 12.

Has he got a pulse oximeter? He needs to know if his oxygen levels are ok. We got one from Argos for about £20. It was excellent and the reassurance that our oxygen levels were ok was vital for us. It can alert you if the situation is becoming more serious.

Is there anyone there with him? It's hard to find the strength to even eat it drink. If he's alone can you get some easy snack foods to him? Nothing that needs preparation but straight out of the packet tempting snacks and drinks.

Get him to ring 111 for advice and a telephone assessment. If he won't call them can you speak to his GP? They may be able to phone to assess him.

I hope he feels better soon. It's such a worrying time.

Fresubin is good as a meal replacement, available at chemist.

Absolutely get him looked at. It's not like the hospitals are bursting at the seams anymore and there might well be something they can do for him. Poor him, I hope things get better.