Diary of a COVID-19 patient

One of our New Vision staff tested positive for coronavirus at the office. He narrates his experience with coronavirus in the following series that bring out a typical emotional reaction to the sad news of infection...

YOU ARE POSITIVE

It was on Monday, August 24. Nothing looked abnormal that morning. I was looking forward to follow-up on my work projects. Since my wife was working from home, I drove alone to work.

 had tested for COVID-19 at my work place on Friday, August 21 and it was a normal test, except for the fact that it was a painful swab through the nose. I never imagined the results would come out the way they did. I went into the weekend all swamped into my work with different projects.

I had even forgotten about the test when, along the way to work, I received a call from our human resource officer: "You tested positive for coronavirus," a voice at the end of the line said. I first parked on the roadside and listened to what she was telling me. She told me not to worry but, first thing; not to go to office. She said I should isolate myself from the family, take a lot of vitamins and vegetables to boost my immunity.

I was so calm and composed. I had so much peace in my heart when I made a U-turn to return home. Then I began wondering how to tell my wife without getting her scared. How about my parents, brothers and sisters? At this point, I was more worried about other people, especially my wife than myself. I parked again and decided to call her and break the news. It was better to find her composed than to live through her shock of the news thunderbolt. She had no words. She sounded shocked. I told her I was going to go meet my brother who works in a pharmacy to guide me more on what to do.

FAMILY SUPPORT

My brother did not seem shocked! He told me I simply had low immunity and all I needed was to boost it while in isolation. I went home with some Vitamin C medicines, fruits and vegetables. I isolated myself in one of the rooms.

The problem came when I had to break the news to my parents. My father was in shock, but he assured me all would be well. My mother told me: "My son, I am here. I will be on my knees and you will come out of this. I am with you in this and I do not want you to worry." That was the time I broke down in tears. It was so emotional hearing my mother say those words.

EVACUATION FROM HOME

Following government procedures, I was called by health ministry officials for some basic interview on my immediate contacts. KCCA also called to take me to Mulago Hospital. I was personally against going to Mulago or any government quarantine facility because of the negative stories I had heard. I was also uncomfortable with the way they evacuate patients, causing a scene in the neighbourhood.

I discussed with the KCCA officials about a quiet evacuation to Mulago and they agreed to come for me at night. They came on Thursday, August 27, in a government Coaster at 9:00pm with two men dressed like astronauts. I did not allow them to come home. I met them at the stage below my home.

The one who received me seemed very kind. After sanitising me, he politely asked me to move to the hind seats, where another patient, who was picked before me, was. I was in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. We drove to Kitintale to pick another person. We then moved to Namasuba and picked a fourth and all of us were taken to Mulago.

We arrived at Mulago Hospital at 10:30pm. That is when I realised how much we were treated as a danger to society. The first thing, after coming out of the mini-bus, is a full body spray from your hair, face, entire body to the shoe sole including your bag. We then waited at the veranda, filled in our details up to 12:10am.

After midnight, when we were taken to a ward on the fourth floor. I was cold and exhausted but still, I did not feel like sleeping. When we entered the ward, it was dark and dead silent except for beeping sound of machines like the oxygen and heart beat machine, patients snoring and some coughing. It was like entering hell before dying.

I stood still for about five minutes wondering where to go, which bed I should take up and who would be my neighbour for the next 14 days. I finally settled on a bed and that marked my first night at the Mulago Hospital COVID-19 quarantine centre.



FRIDAY, AUGUST 28

I was woken up at 6:00am by the sound of nurses moving within the ward with their testing machine taking routine records of blood pressure and temperature. They did the same for me and left me to go back to sleep. I woke up again at 7:00am, talked to my neighbours, Everest and Edward. They had come a day before me and so, we were all new at the facility. I realised there was no much activity except to lay on my bed and go through my phone.

Meanwhile, the old timers at the quarantine centre woke up and it was life as usual. Others had radios blasting loud music, others laptops, others woofers and there was also a TV mounted on the wall for all to watch. This created all kinds of competing noise from different corners.

By 8:00am, there was no sign of breakfast. I started catching up with office work on my phone. I made a few calls here and there to follow up on pending work. I had an online meeting and most workmates did not even realise I was at Mulago Hospital.

Most patients woke up to sounds of either reciting the Rosary or preachers praying on radios or phones. Other patients had percolators to boil water for tea. The most common edibles everyone seemed to have were lemon, tangerines, garlic, honey, pepper and bananas, among others. I was so hungry and there was no sign of breakfast.

At around 10:30am, I asked my neighbour about it and he said breakfast is served at about 11:00am. I immediately developed headache. I had not packed anything to eat except having some Vitamin C and magnesium tablets.

Finally, breakfast came. It was porridge in a disposable cup, a chapatti and a boiled egg. I immediately started making arrangements to have some packed food with me since the meal timetable did not favour me. And, indeed, that day lunch was served at 4:00pm and supper at 9:00pm. Because I spent a good part of the day without a proper meal, I constantly had headache. So, when a nurse called to check how I was doing at around midday, I told her I had headache, with itchy throat.

I did not get treatment until 8:00pm when I received some Panadol, Vitamin C and Erythromycin. Sometime during the day, one of the health workers took a sample from me and others for coronavirus testing. I spent the day learning survival tactics. Everyone had someone from out to bring them something to eat which they would supplement with what the facility offers.

I also moved with my sanitiser everywhere, including the toilet and bathroom. I also learnt that all contact surfaces such as doors, tables, toilet seats, bathrooms, sinks and floor are not cleaned regularly. I resolved to do something about this and I called it a ‘Bucket Against COVID-19', which I will share more details with you next time.