TOWIE’s Kelsey Stratford says coronavirus ‘is evil’ as she gives an update on sister Kennedy, 8

Kelsey Stratford has called coronavirus ‘evil and calculated’ after her little sister was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital with the disease. 

The TOWIE star, 19, shared an update on Monday about eight-year-old Kennedy’s condition, saying the youngster has ‘developed clots coming up from her lungs.’

Also in the lengthy Instagram post, Kelsey warned her followers that COVID-19 ‘isn’t anything like the flu’ and that it ‘picks on all parts of the body’.   

Kelsey wrote: ‘I have now seen Covid first hand. It comes in waves. It picks on all parts of the body and at different times to surprise you. It makes you think you are better then hits you again. 

‘It isn’t anything like the flu. It’s evil and calculated and a murderer for children like Kennedy. It’s quite unbelievable.’ 

Kelsey also gave a detailed update about her sister’s condition, sharing details about her treatment and revealing that she will be hopefully be starting Remdesivir.

Praising her sister, who already has ‘severe breathing problems’ due to her SMA illness, Kelsey added: ‘She is holding her own and fighting hard with tremendous spirit. I am in orr of my girl. My hero. My life!’   

She added: ‘Kennedy is sleeping at the moment. She can’t wake up today. Kennedy has developed clots coming up from her lungs so have started a blood thinner to support as COVID causes blood clots.

‘She had her first blood transfusion of plasma last night and will have her final blood transfusion tonight. This gives her antibodies from patients who have recovered from COVID.’

Kelsey also revealed that her sisters’ Vitamin D levels have been upped and that she is set to start using an antiviral ‘used in the USA, Remdesivir’ once ‘compassionate compensation is approved’.

The doting sister added: ‘She has had her steroid treatment and need this for at least 10 days of dexa. She has extreme tiredness today. Cannot keep her awake. She isn’t digesting her food at the best at the moment.’ 

The update comes after Kelsey confirmed that she’s pulled out of The Only Way Is Essex’s Christmas special.

In a message shared to Instagram on Sunday, the tutor revealed she’s isolating for two weeks and has taken a test after her eight-year-old sibling – who already has ‘severe breathing problems’ due to her SMA illness – contracted the virus.

Kelsey also thanked her followers for their support during the ‘heartbreaking’ time, and insisted Kennedy is ‘such a fighter who will pull through this’.

Sharing an update on her relative’s health, Kelsey wrote on her Stories: ‘Thank you so much to all you kind people that have messaged me about my sister, it means so much.

‘It is so clear to see she is so loved by many and I will keep you all updated on how she’s doing. 

‘She’s in the best place possible ATM she’s in intensive care in Great Ormond Street Hospital with amazing doctors, nurses and my parents looking after her and they don’t leave her side… she is such a fighter and I know she can pull through this I just know it.’

The media personality ended her post by detailing why she’ll be absent from filming the series, set to take place in the next few days.

‘Also, I do have to self isolate for 2 weeks now and have done a Covid test today for people asking and that does mean I will not be filming for the @TOWIE Christmas Ep’, she added. 

The influencer first revealed Kennedy’s diagnosis earlier in the day, alongside a picture of her in her hospital bed.

Kelsey penned: ‘So as you can imagine me and my family are all heartbroken because yesterday Kennedy got rushed into hospital and got tested positive for covid19. 

‘She is really fighting but she has severe breathing problems as it is so I can only imagine how hard it is for her now. she is in intesive care (sic).’

She went on to explain in another post: ‘My little sister kennedy got rushed into hospital yesterday and tested positive for COVID19, we are all so heartbroken as kennedy has severe breathing problems from her terminal illness SMA as it is. 

‘So this is very dangerous for her. Kennedy was high risk to covid & we tried our best to shield her from this terrible virus but unfortunately because of her low immune system she caught it.  

‘She is in intensive care but really fighting like she always does, so i just need everyone to keep her in your prayers and hopefully she gets through this my strong little girl she doesn’t deserve any of this (sic).’

MailOnline has contacted Kelsey’s representatives for comment. 

SMA is Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which is described by the NHS as a condition that makes the muscles grow weaker and causes problems with movement. 

Kelsey also went on to share pictures of Kelsey over the years, which showed her using a ventilator to help her breathe during various outings.  

Kelsey has already set up a GoFundMe page for her sister, as she asked fans to donate what they could to help Kelsey as she battles the disease. 

Speaking to MailOnline, Kelsey said: ‘I’m raising money via my GoFundMe page for SMA UK and we have arranged a Christmas Jumper Day on 11th December where you can take part and donate while having some festive.’

Detailing the condition in the campaign, Kelsey said of her sister’s SMA: ‘This affects her movement from the neck down, but not her intelligence or sense of humour. 

‘We also sadly lost my brother Karter to this condition when he was just a baby.

‘It would mean so much if you could donate anything you can, every little helps and will help the charity to continue their vital work supporting individuals and families such as mine affected by SMA !’