Recovered Covid-19 patients explain why they decided to isolate in a facility

Our elders and those with comorbidities are most at risk for severe COVID-19, and if infected can die. You can save their lives by going into an isolation (confirmed infections) or quarantine (possible infections) facility. The advice will come from a healthcare worker and we urge the public to comply with this advice – your co-operation to be separated from your family can save lives.

Most people with COVID-19 will have mild-moderate symptoms and can be safely treated outside of hospital. If you test positive (or have likely symptoms) you do pose a risk to elders and those with underlying illnesses. You can choose to isolate or quarantine at home but they will be kept safer if you isolate away from them and in a facility away from home. Isolation facilities are for those either tested positive or for the most likely direct contacts.  Those who have come into close contact with someone who is confirmed to have coronavirus or awaiting test results will also be asked to quarantine. There different groups will be identified by healthcare workers and kept separate.

In both cases (quarantine and isolation) the period is 14 days and symptoms must be checked daily.

Separation from ones family is a difficult experience, but necessary to prevent spreading the virus to loved ones and in the community. Health teams will assess the level of risk in each household and recommend testing and quarantine as needed.

The Western Cape Government and municipalities are providing comfortable facilities where you can safely be in isolation or quarantine away from home, until it is safe for you to return. When taking up accommodation at one of the isolation or quarantine facilities, persons will be transported to the relevant facility and back home when they completed the period of 14 days. Young children will not be separated from their mothers or caregivers but can accompany them to the facility.

Anneline van Wyk and Lettie Tsotsetsi are two persons who utilised the Pinelands COVID-19 isolation facility.

Lettie was the first person to be discharged from the newly opened facility. “I was very happy really, after my difficult time. I am leaving this place happy, it was like a family, like a home,” she said.

“I came here to protect my mother. I was very happy here. I didn’t at all feel sick, you made us feel human through it all. I’m very glad I chose to come here,” said Anneline shortly after being discharged.

The isolation and quarantine facilities offer a single room per person and access to a bathroom where persons do not have to be scared of spreading the virus. Regular meals are provided during the period as well as a laundry service. Persons will be monitored by a health team to support them during this period.

We do encourage persons in these facilities and the family members to keep in regular contact though phone calls or social media messaging as visitations are not allowed.

This is the most loving and caring thing you can do to protect your loved ones. Stay safe. Save Lives.

For more information, please visit https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/quarantine-and-isolation-facilities-cape-metro

Note:

Isolation is a when a person with confirmed COVID-19 is separated from others.

Quarantine is when a person who does not have confirmed COVID-19 but has been in close contact with someone who has it is separated from others; or someone who is awaiting test results.

Attached: Images of Anneline van Wyk and Lettie Tsotsetsi, who used the Pinelands COVID-19 isolation facility.