Uvongo mom recovers from Covid-19

From having a normal life to being diagnosed with Covid-19 – this is a Uvongo mother-of-two’s story. Just a few months ago, Phumla Msomi (37) was just like any other mum, interacting with her friends and family with hardly a care in the world.

Until she tested positive for the novel coronavirus towards the end of March.

Phumla went to be tested for the virus after having spent time with a friend whose husband had had visitors from Germany, and that was the beginning of her journey. “When I received the call with my test results, I was at a ceremony at home in Umzimkhulu. I was in disbelief because I had no symptoms, I had not travelled, nor had I even been anywhere near the airport.”

ALSO READ: Covid-19: People who test positive must not be stigmatised – KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC

While she was still trying to come to terms with the news, Phumla received calls from both the Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.”They asked me all sorts of questions, and wanted me to list all the people I had interacted with over the previous 10 days so that they too could be contacted and screened.”

The first step on her road to recovery was a mandatory 14-day period of isolation.”I could not go to the shops to buy food, nor was I allowed to interact with others. People kindly shopped on my behalf and left the parcels at the gate for me to collect,” she said.

Completely isolated at her house and holding on to prayer, Phumla said it was the support of her family and church that kept her going.

“Despite all the negative comments I received, including voice notes doing the rounds saying I had brought the virus here, I had to be strong and fight the stigma. The church prayed for me over the phone, and my pastor’s wife was wonderful, video calling me and offering encouragement.”

To aid her recovery, Phumla said she made sure she took vitamins, and ate healthily.”I’m very happy to be back at home with my loved ones, It feels very good.”For those who have tested positive or who are fighting the virus. she shared these words: “Fear is a problem, but be courageous and know that this will pass.”

Remember to keep washing your hands regularly, wear a mask when leaving your home and keep a safe distance from other people.

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