As normal activity resumes the fear of contracting Covid-19 seems to be slowly subsiding. This is according to Dr Prudence Buthelezi, a general practitioner, who had to face the fear of transmitting the virus to her loved one. She said it has always been her greatest fear to contract Covid-19 and transmit it to her asthmatic daughter, Mpilwenhle Mlambo (11).

This local doctor is among those who have been vocal about the Department of Health’s need to provide proper, quality and effective PPE for all health practitioners.

Buthelezi said she is now diabetic due to Covid-19. “I want to remind the public to be cautious. I have experienced the pain and fear of this virus. I have noticed that most of us have become lax about safeguarding ourselves since level 1 began,” she said.

Buthelezi said, “When my tests came back positive last Tuesday, the only thing I could think of was Mpilwenhle. I knew she has underlying issues due to her asthma. My family members went to get tested and she was the only one who came back positive. I had expected the worst after I heard her results. I know I am the one who brought the virus home, however, I am unable to explain where I obtained it. I travel from one town to another, for example I work at Rob Ferreira Hospital and Sabie too. We were admitted at Mediclinic Nelspruit after I went there because I was not feeling well. I had not expected to find myself testing positive. I had previously done several tests and they kept coming back negative. When I saw how the virus was damaging my lungs on the scan I was really shocked.”

Mpilwehle turned in 11 while in hospital on December 4.

“It is strange. We were all worried about my daughter, but she left the hospital before I did. She left on day five of our stay. I stayed behind because I had some challenges, although I was relieved to see her go home. I was discharged on Monday and I am currently at home,” she explained.

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During her interview with the newspaper this doctor raised her concern about health practitioners. “I am worried because we really need PPE to protect our family members from this virus,” said Buthelezi.

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She added that the days before she had realised that she was positive, she had made sure that she protected her patients by not touching them while examining them.