Groote Schuur Hospital COVID-19 patient discharged after 69 days in hospital | Western Cape Government

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Groote Schuur Hospital COVID-19 patient discharged after 69 days in hospital

5 August 2020

Mrs Victoria Base (63) from Gugulethu was all smiles when she was discharged on 31 July 2020 from Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) after being a COVID-19 patient for 69 days. The health staff who looked after her are today’s Groote Schuur Hospital Appreciate Wednesday heroes. The campaign seeks to give appreciation to ordinary heroes who are inspiring others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mrs Base presented to Heideveld emergency centre on 23 May 2020 with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. She was immediately transferred to GSH to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Her stay included 33 days in the ICU ward in a critical condition. According to intensivists Prof Ivan Joubert and Dr Jenna Piercy, both of whom oversaw her care in ICU, “There have been many occasions when we thought she might not pull through, and thus we were delighted to see her ready to now leave the hospital.” She needed some minor surgical procedures after ICU and physiotherapy to get her mobile and ready to return to her family.

Mrs Base, who is self-employed, was looking forward to going back home and spending time with her three children and grandchild. “Having a nice home cooked meal will be the first thing I will want when I get home,” she said on the day of her discharge.

“Thank you to all staff for their help and kindness. I will remember you for the rest of my life. I will tell my family and the community about the good work you did to care for me,” said Mrs Base.

Her message to the public was simple, “COVID-19 does not choose who it wants to infect, be aware of everything you do and please be cautious. I survived; [and others have not been so fortunate].”

Media Enquiries: 

Alaric Jacobs
Groote Schuur Hospital
Principal Communications Officer
Tel: 021 404 2188
Email: alaric.jacobs@westerncape.gov.za