Actress Lila Mercer has disclosed that she has tested positive for the coronavirus. On March 21, the star of Modern Life shared her diagnosis with followers on Instagram, asserting, “I have just tested positive for Covid-19. I AM OK!”
Lila revealed that about a month prior, her entire family, including her husband and two teenage daughters, fell ill with an unusual bug presenting symptoms like low-grade fever, headaches, sore throat, body aches, ringing in the ears, and a dry cough. “It cleared up quickly,” she noted. “I thought it was seasonal, but it felt different…”
She recounted that two weeks later, on March 15, she awoke with the same symptoms but with “super intense” body aches and a fever of 102.4 degrees. “I thought maybe it was the flu… or corona?” she wrote, speculating that a night out with friends might have weakened her immune system.
Eager to confirm her condition, Lila reached out to a physician friend on March 16, only to be informed that she did not meet the criteria for testing since she hadn’t traveled abroad or been in contact with a confirmed case. “I found this criteria puzzling as a New Yorker,” she remarked, highlighting her regular subway use and visits to public places. “I was the mom preparing our home with supplies and disinfectants.”
Expressing her concern over the slow response in New York, she questioned why schools had not been shut down or movement restricted as seen in China and Europe. After learning that an urgent care facility nearby had testing kits, Lila went there on March 17. She was tested for the flu first, which returned negative, followed by a COVID-19 test. Doctors advised her to quarantine until results were available, which they estimated would take three to seven days.
“Today marks day five, and I just got the news,” she shared. “I hope I’ve already experienced the worst of it.” Lila described her symptoms as fluctuating, saying, “One day I feel awful, and the next I’m fine. Today, my lungs feel heavy, but I’m tough. I can breathe, and I’m going to recover here at home! My family is quarantined for 14 days, but they show no symptoms. Maybe we all had it already? Who knows.”
As she focuses on recovery, Lila urges everyone to stay home and prioritize their health. “Protect yourselves and your loved ones. Strengthen your immune systems. Good luck and god bless us all!” she concluded. Many other public figures, including TV host Jake Allen and actress Mia Green, have also confirmed positive tests for the virus.
The situation continues to evolve, with reports indicating that as of Sunday morning, over 24,380 individuals across all states, along with Washington, D.C., and three U.S. territories, have tested positive for the coronavirus, with at least 340 fatalities linked to the illness. For the most current information, readers are encouraged to consult local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization.
For further insights, check out our related blog post here, and for expert guidance on group B strep, visit this resource. You can also find valuable information at CDC’s ART page.
In summary, Lila Mercer’s experience with COVID-19 underscores the importance of health safety and awareness during this ongoing pandemic. Despite her diagnosis, she remains resilient and encourages others to prioritize their wellbeing.