“I tested negative for COVID-19 but I am still cautious “
An aerial view of the business community of Kumaka in the town of Mabaruma.
An aerial view of the business community of Kumaka in the town of Mabaruma.

…Mabaruma woman shares her recent experience
…family stigmatised by the community

By Alva Solomon
LAST Monday, residents of the town of Mabaruma in the North West District grew worried, after news spread in the communities that a female from the area was tested at the hospital, in the area, for the dreaded COVID-19.
Two days later, the results of samples taken from the woman confirmed that she was positive for the dreaded coronavirus. Not only did the news shock the communities, but led to the reality in many Mabaruma homes, that the virus, which originated in Wuhan, China late in December 2019, had its first confirmed case in Guyana’s Hinterland region.
During this time, 31-year old Janel Wong, a mother of four was overcome with worry, anxiety and pain as she was experiencing symptoms, similar to what she had read, about the experience of persons who contracted the virus.
The woman who was tested positive for the virus, lives in her household. Wong said that, on Tuesday last, the day after her relative was placed in quarantine, she began to experience bouts of fever and although she had a cold, some of the symptoms seemed frighteningly similar to those which her relative experienced.
She said that during this time, the family members were placed in quarantine in parts of their home.” I had a cough from a cold which I had before but now I had a fever and my throat was burning a lot,” she said.

Tumeric, ginger and lemon grass tea
Wong said she was using her regular doses of tea made from turmeric, ginger and lemon-grass during this time. She would also boil water and pour a few drops of pepper-mint oil into the liquid. “I would inhale the vapour from it,” she said. “I had no taste in my mouth, I ate a tiger-teeth pepper and was not tasting any of it,” she recalled.
As last week tapered on, Wong said that she was still feeling uneasy about her condition and as such she informed the medical personnel at Mabaruma about her condition.She was then taken to the hospital for a test.

On Friday, a team of medical officials from the city which was on a visit to the town from ,returned to Georgetown with COVID-19 test samples taken from on Wong. After an anxious wait, on Sunday, the doctor informed her that the test on samples taken from her proved negative.
“But since the test, I was still feeling sick,” she said, adding that she continued using her home remedies and fruits to boost her immune system.

“Even though I am negative for the coronavirus, I am still taking precautions,” she said including regularly washing her hands and she noted she will continue to wear her mask. She said that her condition has improved and she feels much better.
She said the Regional Health Officer at Mabaruma has been very helpful to the family, noting that he has been proactive in trying to spread awareness to residents of the town and outlying communities about the seriousness of the coronavirus.

Stigmatisation

Wong said after persons found out that she and her relative were tested for the coronavirus, she noticed that taxi-drivers at Mabaruma were not willing to carry out any favour for the family, including dropping fruits to their home. She said that, on Sunday, she went down to the pharmacy, a few doors from where she lives, and several boys who were on the roadway, began throwing remarks at her about the coronavirus. She said one of the boys cautioned the others about stigmatizing the family.

She said that the situation has also impacted other members of her family.
A popular shop-keeper at Kumaka fired two of his workers because they are related to persons who work with the woman who tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the owner of a Chinese supermarket at Kumaka fired a woman who is related to another woman who works with the woman.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older persons and those with underlying medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

WHO believes that the best way to prevent and slow down transmission of the pandemic is to be well-informed about the virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads.

“Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practise respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow),” WHO advised.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.