WHEN Pat Adams tested positive for COVID-19 via a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) last Monday his fiancée, Angela Lonergan and the couple’s 17-month-old daughter, Evie immediately isolated.

Mr Adams moved to the couple’s bedroom which has an ensuite while Angela masked up, took over sole parenting duties and cared for Mr Adams at a distance.

Ms Lonergan said isolating from Mr Adams was especially difficult for Evie who has been confused as to why her dad is in a separate room.

“Pat has covid – it’s hard, we’ve been facetiming him lots,” she said.

“It’s been a very interesting five days so far.

“It’s highlighted how hard it would be isolating as a single parent.

“We’re very fortunate with quite a big house, so he’s in our room with an ensuite, again, very fortunate.

“She (Evie) doesn’t understand why dad is in the room they’ve had a few meetings talking through the window – it makes it very hard when she wants her dad.”

Ms Lonergan said Evie had shown COVID-19 symptoms, but it was very hard to differentiate between having COVID-19 and being a baby.

She took herself and Evie up to the COVID-19 testing clinic at the Hamilton Showgrounds early last week.

“We left at 7.30am and there were probably 15 cars in line,” she said.

“I took breakfast, snacks, all of that and got it done … the team there are doing an incredible job and doing everything they can.”

Mr Adams, a firefighter with Fire Rescue Victoria, Portland and Ms Lonergan, an area manager at Hearing Australia have delayed returning to work until Mr Adams recovers from his infection and they get all clear from a RAT.

“I was supposed to be back on Monday but have had most of the week off…I’ve done a few emails while she sleeps,” Ms Lonergan said.

“We’ve got one RAT at the moment and we’re trying to get more so we can get out of quarantine and back to work but if we can’t get any more, we’ll have to just get a PCR which we don’t want to do – it feels like a waste of resources.”

Ms Lonergan said she was grateful for the community and that family, friends and neighbours had all generously pitched in, checking in with the young family and dropping off meals throughout their isolation period.

“We’ve had people pick up coffee and dinner for us and help out,” she said.

“We’re so lucky in Hamilton – that sense of community is so important.”