A friends COVID 19 experience
Only my mom goes out twice a week to buy groceries within 500 m radius.
She took utmost care by wearing mask and avoiding crowded stores.
But as life is unfair, she got the symptoms on the night of 9 May.
She had fever, cough and body pains intermittently and was convinced it's cuz of her eating a chilled mango. My bro too had a fever during a night but recovered soon. On 11th night, she had a temp. of 102 which prompted me to take her to a pvt lab to get her tested for covid-19.
We were sure it'd be -ve but the lab sent an email saying she is POSITIVE. We were devastated cuz we didn't know how she got it. We are a family of 4. Mom ,grandma, me and my bro.(And a dog). We were more worried about grandma cuz she is 81 yr old diabetic and heart patient
I called TN covid helpline and they asked me to go to the nearest govt hospital to report. I went to KMC covid OPD and waited for 45 mins. Meanwhile there were nearly 30 people outside the OP. I asked the security who told me they were all positive patients waiting for the allotment of beds in covid ward. I was scared to see a tea stall opp. to the OP where 3 people inside the shop didn't wear a mask.
Finally my mom went inside and told her condition to a doc. He checked her temp which was 99. He said she is a mild case of covid and asked her to home quarantine.
When she told him there are 3 more people in the home and was sure they'd be positive, he said to get them tested only when they show symptoms. He gave nos. to inform corporation and prescribed meds like vits, amox and para only.
He also said many of the docs are positive but not tested... Many people are positive but not tested. He was very cool and told my mom not to worry and self isolate at home.
I have contacted corporation to report. Hopefully they'll sanitize our area tomorrow.
So here's what I understand:
1. Community transmission is rampant in Chennai.
2. There's under-reporting of cases for sure. My family was asked to get tested only when we start showing symptoms.
3. The contact tracing is a joke cuz there is none.
4. The outside of covid OPD is horrible. Positive patients were in groups outside until allotment of beds. And normal people were roaming without proper masks unknowingly very close to the patients.
5. No hydroxychloroquine or zinc prescribed to the patient or the caregiver
Hope everyone in chennai reads this and is extra cautious more
In addition any vegetable that you buy wash soak in water mixed with salt and turmeric powder for 20 minutes . Dry on a cloth before putting in the fridge . Even milk & curd packets rinse and then keep in the fridge . more