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16 July 2020 Media Release: “My sister and I tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a funeral”

Media Release: “My sister and I tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a funeral”

For Immediate Release
16 July 2020

Amanda (38), an employee of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), recently shared her and her sister’s COVID-19 experience. “We have no comorbidities and experienced flu-like symptoms,” she said.

Still in self-isolation, Amanda says that she and her sister attended a funeral in Graaff-Reinet on 20 June. They both developed a dry cough a few days after returning to George. By 29 June they suspected that they contracted COVID-19 after their cousin, who also attended the funeral, alerted them on 25 June that she had tested positive for it.

“We went for tests on 2 July and got our ‘positive results’ back on 6 July.”

“I was shocked and immediately called my doctor to ask for advice on what to do.” The doctor informed them to stay at home and isolate themselves from others. “Thankfully I stay with my sister. Neither of us even considered going out after suspecting that we had COVID-19, because nowadays coughing in public is met with glares from strangers and friends,” said Amanda.

A picture of Amanda before the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.

The sisters were frustrated at times as they were confined to their flat and not even allowed to go for a walk. Amanda said that she continued with work duties from home and was available to assist the municipality with work when requested.

When sharing some of the support she received, Amanda explained: “My HR Manager, Ms Nontobeko Klaas, also tested positive a while back and she was the first one to call and comfort me. She shared some home advice on what home remedies worked for her including ginger, garlic, lemon, honey, and inhaling peppermint or eucalyptus vapour my chest felt tight or heavy.”  Her colleagues, family and friends were in constant contact with her. “I also held daily video calls with my cousin.”

Amanda pleads “for those suspecting of having COVID-19 to go into quarantine and for those who tested positive to isolate, because it protects others from contracting the virus.” She added: “other people might not experience the same symptoms and I think that those with comorbidities are more prone to serious complications.” Amanda shared that they only experienced minor body aches and a persistent dry cough.

Her COVID-19 experience taught her to not only look at the negative side of any disease, but also to read up and listen to experiences of others who had survived. “People should not stigmatise those who tested positive for a disease because it helps no one. Those who tested positive need support more than anything else,” she added.

Amanda urges the public to be more proactive and to go into quarantine when they experience a cough, runny nose or body aches. “Live as healthy as you can and avoid gathering in large groups. Stick to the rules. COVID-19 is real and ignoring this fact might cost you your own or another person’s life.”