Sabahan, 37, relates ordeal of battling Covid-19 infection

 By Olivia Miwil - October 30, 2020 @ 12:25pm

Covid-19 survivor

Hartini Azmi, 37, was placed at low-risk treatment centre early this month after testing positive for Covid-19. - Pic courtesy of Hartini Azmi.

KENINGAU: Hartini Azmi's greatest fear after being diagnosed with Covid-19 was that she had infected her family members and close contacts.

"Despite having to endure the fever, joint pains, stomach ache, diarrhoea and almost all symptoms associated with Covid-19, my worries were still that vulnerable people that had contact with me would be infected.

"I knew I could recover from the infection, as I have no underlying disease, but it would be dangerous for others," said the 37-year-old makeup artist from Kampung Masak here, adding that all her family members turned out to be negative.

Hartini went to hospital on Oct 11 after developing a fever and losing her sense of taste.

She tested positive through a rapid test for Covid-19.

She was immediately sent to a low-risk treatment centre in the district pending another PT-PCR test result, which confirmed she was infected four days later.

"I was told that I could have been infected early this month, but I do not recall if I went to any mass gatherings or was in contact with Covid-19 positive people.

"Despite that, as I was the first in the village to be infected, there was stigmatisation against me and my family members.

"However, I did explain in a WhatsApp group about Covid-19 modes of transmission," said Hartini, adding that she is still undergoing quarantine after being discharged from the centre.

During her nine-day admission, she said frontliners and other patients were her pillars of strength.

She said no visitors were allowed during her hospitalisation, therefore the people around her were the ones who cheered and accompanied her.

Hartini is among recovered patients who have come forward to share her experience on social media. She is featured in the Facebook page "Covid-19 Survivor Sabah".

"I would like to share with people how I went through the infection at the centre, but I never expected there were many who would like my stories."




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