Nahawa Pa Din Siya Kahit Naging Maingat, Sabi Ng Unang Pinoy COVID-19 Case

Mahigit 18,000 na ang nasawi sa COVID-19 sa buong mundo, at patuloy na umaakyat ang bilang. Dahil dito, matinding takot ang nararamdaman ng lahat sa pag-aalalang sila o ang kanilang mga kaanak at mahal sa buhay ang susunod na magkasakit — isang bagay na hindi malayong mangyari.

Pero sa kabilang banda, mahigit 100,000 katao na ang gumaling mula sa COVID-19, patunay na mayroong pag-asa sakaling ikaw man ay magkasakit nito.

Sa isang Facebook post noong March 22, ikinwento ng isang pasyenteng gumaling na sa COVID-19 ang kanyang karanasan tungkol dito. 

“I was COVID-19 patient no. 4," sabi ni Carlo Llanes Navarro, 48 years old, ang unang Pilipinong nag-positibo sa COVID-19 sa bansa, kasunod ng tatlong dayuhang unang na-diagnose.

Kwento niya, bumiyahe siya at ang kanyang asawa at anak sa Tokyo, Japan noong nakaraang buwan.

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"We knew we were taking a risk by travelling to Japan. At that time, Japan was not yet battling with community transmission. There were no rules yet on quarantine for returning passengers," sabi niya.

Dagdag pa niya, ibayong pag-iingat ang kanilang ginawa habang sila ay nasa biyahe. 

"In Tokyo, we thought we were making-up for the risk by always wearing our masks, vigorously washing and rubbing our hands with alcohol and Thieves essential oil, and wearing disposable latex gloves which we regularly changed and threw away throughout our five days there."

Pero sabi ni Carlo, suspetsa nila ay nakuha niya ang virus hindi habang nasa Tokyo, kundi sa eroplano sa kanilang biyahe pabalik ng Pilipinas noong February 25, 2020. 

"Behind me was a Filipino man coughing vigorously. Nothing could be done and we sat in that plane for more than 4 hours. We had our masks on the whole time. We suspect this is where I picked-up the virus."

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Pitong araw pagkabalik sa bansa, saka raw nakaramdam si Carlo ng ilang sintomas ng COVID-19, gaya ng sinat (37.7C). 

"That night of March 3, I decided to play it safe and that I be immediately tested. St. Luke’s hospital did not see the need to test me. The hospital said my symptoms were mild, and Japan is not a Covid-19 hotspot.

"I insisted. I had to insist! I was tested. I was discharged. I went home in BGC [Taguig]."

Sa panahong ito daw ay nag-isolate na siya sa kanyang asawa, anak, at mga kasambahay nila. 

Pagkatapos ng dalawang araw, wala na ang lagnat niya pero napalitan naman ito ng matinding ubo at pananakit ng kalamnan. At sa araw ding yoon, March 5, nakumpirma na positibo siya sa COVID-19. 

"I received the frightening call from the DOH that evening. I was promptly whisked away by an ambulance to RITM in Alabang."

Dahil dito ay kaagad ding nagpakuha ng test ang kanyang buong pamilya, at laking pasasalamat ni Carlo na negative naman lahat ang resulta.

Paalala niya, ang mga sintomas ng COVID-19 ay madaling ipagsawalang-bahala dahil pangkaraniwan lang ang mga ito — sa umpisa. 

"It is easy to take the symptoms for granted. A cough. Sore throat. Muscle pains. One need not have a high fever to be Covid-19 positive. Looking at the DOH spreadsheet, one can even be totally asymptomatic."

Ibinahagi ni Carlo na higit sa sakit na pisikal, ang stress na dala ng pagkakaroon ng sakit na COVID-19 ang nakabahala sa kanya. 

"For two weeks in the hospital, it was not the physical pain that is frightening! It was the psychological effect that made it difficult. I was vomiting endlessly and had diarrhea probably due to stress."

Ipinakita ni Carlo kung ano ang responsableng gawin ng isang tao kapag may hinala siyang infected siya ng coronavirus.

"I did not choose to get sick. But as soon as I did, I immediately had myself tested. I allowed myself quarantined in a hospital deprived of staff and funds. I was not in the most comfortable situation.

"Because I got myself quickly tested, by my immediate confinement, I shielded my elderly parents. I shielded our senior household helpers. I shielded my family.

"Because I disclosed being infected to my workplace according to company protocol, all my contacts were tested by the Department of Health and quarantined. The DOH advised me that so far, my contacts have been cleared and are asymptomatic. For this, I am grateful."

Sa kanyang post, ibinahagi ni Carlo ang ilang mga bagay na kanyang natutunan habang nasa ospital.

"I realized that ignorance and inaction will cause the virus to spread faster. That should anyone experience ANY symptoms, they should stay home and limit contact with others. 

"They should NOT shrug-off any symptoms and downplay them. This community quarantine is something we need to protect the people that we love."

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Itinuturing din ni Carlo na isang malaking blessing sa kanya ang pagsubok na ito dahil lalo niyang napatunayan ang pagmamahal ng kanyang asawa at anak sa kanya, pati na ng kanilang mga malapit na kaanak.

"I learned about the extraordinary love of my wife and daughter. Evie [Carlo's wife] and her cousin, Annette, looked for people in the government that could help me while in RITM. Evie, together with her sister, Gela, tirelessly looked for a hospital that will take me in. Each and every one was refusing to take me in. 

"I was desperate because the pneumonia that I acquired was from the hospital. I was coughing profusely, and chills were getting worse by the day. 

"She kept me company for hours and days to keep me psychologically and emotionally sane! She prayed with me profusely! She called on people to pray for me. I knew I married right!"

Dalawang linggo pagkatapos ma-admit ay nakalabas na si Carlo sa ospital. Patuloy siyang nagpapalakas sa ngayon.

"Today, I am thankful for the prayers and well wishes of friends and family! I may not have responded to you at my darkest hours, but I will remember and will be forever grateful for you."

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