Covid 19: Pregnant Pretoria woman fights for her life in ICU

A Moot family has asked residents to please pray for their 30-weeks pregnant daughter, who has been placed on a ventilator in ICU after she tested positive for Covid-19

“Last week Tuesday, she was the very example of a healthy young woman,” said Kilnerpark resident Skip Scheepers of his daughter, Marzanne Lennox.

“Now, she is in hospital.”

Scheepers explained that his daughter didn’t show any of the main symptoms of the virus, such as a fever or body aches.

“For her, it started as a common blocked nose,” he said.

“She was placed on a light antibiotic and a week later she didn’t show any symptoms.”

By last week Monday, however, Lennox’s condition worsened and she was also short of breath, Scheepers said.

“I told my wife that she wasn’t looking well and she took her to hospital, where she was treated for the virus and placed on the ventilator,” he said.

“She was also tested for the virus, for which she later tested positive.”

By this week, Lennox was 70% on the ventilator and the Scheepers family was placed under quarantine.

“It is now day six and we are still not showing any symptoms. We, unfortunately, cannot be with our daughter,” he said on Monday.

“It’s almost as if this virus decides how it wants to attack your body.”

Scheepers said he wished to create awareness about the virus and urged others to be vigilant.

“This is a very ugly virus and people need to be vigilant,” he said.

“If there is one thing I can say to the community, it is this: please wear your mask, regularly wash your hands and stay away from other people.

“Do not assume a place will be safe because it is a medical facility – always be aware and make sure you follow all the protocols.”

He also said that people should get Vitamin C, in the form of vitamin supplements or fruit.

“Vitamin C improves your immune system,” he said.

Scheepers said they have received support from all around the world.

“People we don’t even know are supporting us and praying for our family,” he said.

“We appreciate it so much.”

Kilnerpark Security also took to social media to show their support towards Lennox and the Scheepers family.

“Today I come to pray for Marzanne Lennox and the Scheepers family,” spokesperson Ancelize van der Kooi said.

“At 14:45 on Saturday afternoon, Skip Scheepers a long-time friend called me, he is a big man, a hard man, but today he is on the ground.”

“He told me ‘Ancelize, we as a family need help, please make the community aware of the seriousness surrounding Covid 19’.”

“I can hear his voice trembling as he talks to me. ‘There is a big storm coming and our people need to know what’s coming’.”

“Marzanne, we pray very hard for you. Keep fighting girl, here so much left for you.”

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