Sharon Stone reveals her lupus-suffering sister Kelly has COVID-19

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Sharon Stone has revealed her younger sister Kelly has COVID-19, and is confined to a frightening-looking hospital room.

Taking to Instagram, the Hollywood actress, 62, posted a photo of a solitary room with a large yellow tube being fed into it, surrounded my PPE-clad doctors.

Revealing Kelly, 59, was being treated in the room, Sharon captioned the image: ‘My sister Kelly, who already has lupus, now has COVID-19. This is her hospital room.

Worrying: Sharon Stone has revealed her younger sister Kelly has COVID-19, and is confined to a frightening-looking hospital room [the sisters are pictured in 2015]

‘One of you Non-Mask wearers did this. She does not have an immune system. The only place she went was the pharmacy.

‘There is no testing in her county unless you are symptomatic, & then it’s 5 day wait for results.

Can YOU FACE THIS ROOM ALONE? Wear a mask! For yourself and others. Please. [sic]’

It’s believed Kelly is at a hospital in Miami, although she had been self-isolating in Montana with her husband.

'CAN YOU FACE THIS ROOM ALONE?' Taking to Instagram, the Hollywood actress, 62, posted a photo of a solitary room with a large yellow tube being fed into it

‘CAN YOU FACE THIS ROOM ALONE?’ Taking to Instagram, the Hollywood actress, 62, posted a photo of a solitary room with a large yellow tube being fed into it

'My sister Kelly, who already has lupus, now has COVID-19. This is her hospital room': PPE-clad doctors also featured in the images at the hospital

‘My sister Kelly, who already has lupus, now has COVID-19. This is her hospital room’: PPE-clad doctors also featured in the images at the hospital

Frightening: It's believed Kelly is at a hospital in Miami

Frightening: It’s believed Kelly is at a hospital in Miami

Kelly took to Instagram herself to post a video from her hospital bed, lying in the dark, ‘begging’ her followers ‘to know that this is real’.

‘I am gasping… for every breath!’ she said in the clip, uploaded in the early hours of Sunday morning. ‘Please do this for the people that you love: stand behind more tests, more masks. 

‘Demand everyone wear masks. You never, ever want to feel like this. I promise you!’

Becoming tearful she added: ‘I only have love. My heart is breaking for people who can’t breathe!’

She took to Instagram herself to post a video from her hospital bed, lying in the dark, 'begging' her followers 'to know that this is real'

She took to Instagram herself to post a video from her hospital bed, lying in the dark, ‘begging’ her followers ‘to know that this is real’

'I am gasping... for every breath!' Becoming tearful she added - 'I only have love. My heart is breaking for people who can't breathe!'

‘I am gasping… for every breath!’ Becoming tearful she added – ‘I only have love. My heart is breaking for people who can’t breathe!’

Two days before her hospital admission, Kelly shared a snap of herself with her husband, captioning it: ‘This is us. March 13. Drove to our paradise in Montana. We thought covid wouldn’t and couldn’t find us.

‘No shopping, no parties, barely saw a human. Now fighting for a breath. You don’t want covid. [sic]’

Kelly – who is close with her older sister Sharon – has been vocal about a number of health issues during the pandemic, using her Instagram to promote the donation of blood plasma, as well as sharing information for those with depression and suffering hunger.

Sharon and Kelly have worked together on Planet Hope – a scheme they started in 1993 – after Kelly battled emotional and physical problems.

In 2015, Kelly was presented with an award for her philanthropy in Miami.

Her big sister flew from her base in Los Angeles to give her the award, saying at the time: ‘She’s amazing, she really is. She’s dedicated so much time to helping others, and now she is fighting for her own life.’

Sisters: Kelly - who is close with her older sister Sharon - has been vocal about a number of health issues during the pandemic, using her Instagram to promote the donation of blood plasma, as well as sharing information for those with depression and suffering hunger [pictured in 2013]

Sisters: Kelly – who is close with her older sister Sharon – has been vocal about a number of health issues during the pandemic, using her Instagram to promote the donation of blood plasma, as well as sharing information for those with depression and suffering hunger [pictured in 2013]

Philanthropy: Sharon and Kelly have worked together on Planet Hope - a scheme they started in 1993 - after Kelly battled emotional and physical problems [pictured in 2011]

Philanthropy: Sharon and Kelly have worked together on Planet Hope – a scheme they started in 1993 – after Kelly battled emotional and physical problems [pictured in 2011]

She was referring to the chemotherapy treatment Kelly was undergoing at the time for her lupus condition.

Back in April, Kelly posted to social media to reveal she had ‘spent the day making masks’.

Uploading a snap of herself wearing a checked one, she captioned the snap: ‘I haven’t sewn in years. Flawed but fun & beautiful to create. It’s no joke. Be safe. Wear a mask. I wear a mask for my family, my friends and you. ❤️ [sic]’

Honoured: In 2015, Kelly was presented with an award for her philanthropy in Miami [pictured]

Honoured: In 2015, Kelly was presented with an award for her philanthropy in Miami [pictured]

Her big sister flew from her base in Los Angeles to give her the award, saying at the time: 'She’s amazing, she really is. She’s dedicated so much time to helping others, and now she is fighting for her own life'

Her big sister flew from her base in Los Angeles to give her the award, saying at the time: ‘She’s amazing, she really is. She’s dedicated so much time to helping others, and now she is fighting for her own life’

In July, Kelly re-shared Jennifer Aniston’s post about one of her friends, hooked up to a ventilator in hospital, having also contracted the coronavirus.

Jennifer used her fame and social media platform to encourage people to wear mask, captioning the image: ‘This is our friend Kevin. Perfectly healthy, not one underlying health issue. This is Covid. This is real

‘We can’t be so naive to think we can outrun this…if we want this to end, and we do, right? The one step we can take is PLEASE #wearadamnmask.’

The actress, 51, went on: ‘Just think about those who’ve already suffered through this horrible virus. Do it for your family. And most of all yourself. Covid affects all ages.’   

WHAT IS LUPUS?

What is lupus?

It is one of the chronic autoimmune conditions, where the body makes antibodies against itself and starts to attack it. Lupus – Systemic Lupus Erythematotsus (SLE) – has a range of severity. Some sufferers will have only mild problems, others have life-threatening organ damage to the heart and the kidneys.

What are the symptoms?

Tiredness, joint pains and muscle aches. A common first symptom is joint stiffness, particularly in the mornings. Skin and hair problems are a major feature of SLE – a rash in the shape of a butterfly over the cheeks and nose is common, as is hair loss and sensitivity to the sun. Other problems include depression and lung and heart disease, as well as kidney inflammation.

What can it be mistaken for?

It is often mistaken for other joint problems such as rheumatoid arthritis which is also characterised by morning joint stiffness. It can also be misdiagnosed as a skin or blood disease.

How is it diagnosed?

If your GP suspects SLE they will request a blood test. The specific antibodies that attack the body can be measured in the blood. The diagnosis is made when there is the combination of typical symptoms and high antibodies.

Who is at risk?

SLE is ten times more common in women than men and usually develops between the ages 12 and 25.

What is the treatment?

Controlling the symptoms, as there is no cure, using anti-inflammatories and steroid tablets in more severe cases.