COVID-19 Survivor Narrates Why He Hid Status From His Mother

A COVID-19 survivor, Ikeche Emeka, narrated how he contacted the virus and hid his health status from his mother.

Emeka, who is a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), said he contacted the virus while carrying out his primary assignment in a health facility in Delta state, but he couldn’t tell his mother because she had a misconception that COVID-19 is a death sentence.

He revealed that while he was in the isolation center, he saw a 66-year-old COVID-19 patient who died six hours after admission.

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He narrated, “I am a youth corps member serving in a health facility in Warri, Delta State. A house officer and some colleagues were involved in the treatment of a patient who later tested positive for COVID-19. Unfortunately, the patient died. The entire team involved in treating the patient got tested for COVID-19, and the house officer’s result was positive.

“Before the death of the patient, the House Officer already crossed over to my department (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) for his next posting. Upon the House Officer’s test confirmation, my entire department also got tested. The two-day waiting period for the result of the test was filled with tension.

“The results were out, and I tested positive. The only symptom I had was a mild sore throat.

“The night I was evacuated from my apartment to the isolation centers was very dramatic as my gateman kept asking me, as I was entering the ambulance if I had COVID-19.

“Many people, including my mother, think it is a death sentence. I knew how my mother and siblings would react to the news, so I told only my father and a few colleagues at work. Eight days after my admission to the center, I took another test, and I was positive. I felt so bad. I didn’t eat that day.”

“After two negative tests, I finally got discharged. I spent 17 days at the isolation center. It was quite frustrating as I was used to freedom and suddenly got restricted to a defined space.

“I remember a 66-year-old COVID-19 patient whose condition was quite bad. He was placed on a ventilator and given oxygen, but these could only do so much. He died barely six hours after admission. Many still don’t believe coronavirus is real. Some do not believe it kills.

“Many people infected with the virus may develop mild symptoms or may even be asymptomatic. Some may infect others while they do not even know they have the disease. Unfortunately, the brunt will be borne by the elderly, immunocompromised persons, or persons with underlying ailments. I pray Nigerians to heed to the NCDC guidelines and stay safe, especially for the vulnerable ones.”