Positive attitude can help you recover from Covid-19

Having a positive attitude while in quarantine helped a 48-year-old bishop, Ally Sibiya of the God’s Tabernacle, win the battle against Covid-19.

Sibiya said, “I developed flu symptoms after attending a family funeral the previous week. I thought it was just a normal, light flu before the condition worsened. I visited a local school on the Friday where I motivated the learners, and also met with members of Laugh Out Loud Social Club the following day, Saturday, without realising that I actually had contracted the virus. It was on that Saturday night that the coughing got worse.”

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None of the people who had been in contact with Sibiya tested positive.
He said he was referred to hospital after his temperature reached 39 degree Celsius.
“My doctor advised that I immediately go to hospital since my temperature was above normal. Upon arrival at Rob Ferreira, more tests were conducted and this is when it was confirmed that I had contracted the virus. I was then placed in isolation and on oxygen. I don’t remember much of what happened after tubes were inserted in my mouth and nose since everything was a blur. I could not see nor hear,” he recalled.

“I won’t lie, while in the hospital bed, the treatment was so painful. There were times when I was given 27 tablets and three injections all at once,” he said.
Sibiya said the treatment also included taking lots of vitamins, antibiotics and drinking hot water. He said he coughed up blood, lost his appetite, had sores in his mouth and suffered from severe chest pains and shortness of breath, while undergoing treatment.

“The virus just made life miserable,” he continued.

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It took a full seven days for him to fully regain his strength and senses. That was when it dawned on me that I was not dead. I began to pray and thank God for saving my life. I remember promising God that if I left the hospital well and healthy, I’d help many others to fight the virus,” he smiled.
“The KaNyamazane Facebook page became my world with all the positive and inspiring stories published there.
“I also enjoyed the attention I received from many people who heard about my condition. I would like to take this opportunity and thank everyone for their prayers and words of motivation,” he acknowledged.
Sibiya expressed gratitude to the health workers at the quarantine ward to which he had been admitted.
“Those nurses and doctors were so committed and always running, ready to assist and to serve,” he said.
Sibiya urged South Africans to take the virus seriously and do everything in their power to prevent themselves from contracting it.
“We must keep ourselves and families warm at all times, drink lots of hot water either with lemon and honey, or ginger. Drink hot umhlonyane if you must, stay indoors, avoid gatherings and adhere to social distancing,” he said.