Update
ABERDEEN NEWS - An Aberdeen man has tested positive for Covid-19, believed to be the first case in the area.
The 77-year-old man (who asked not to be named) returned to Aberdeen on 14 March, after spending two weeks in contact with a group of visitors from Canada. During this time, they travelled extensively around South Africa, by road and air.
"We took all the recommended precautions whilst we were travelling, washing our hands often and using sanitiser on surfaces," he told the Advertiser.
He said that when he arrived home, he felt completely exhausted, and sat down and promptly fell asleep. When he felt no better by the next week, he went to the doctor and was given a course of antibiotics.
He felt no improvement, and on Monday 23 March he went to the Aberdeen hospital, where he saw Dr Desemele, the medical superintendent. By then he had received a message from the leader of the tour group to say that some members of the group had tested positive for Covid-19 since their return home, so he was naturally concerned.
Dr Desemele arranged for him to be tested, and the patient was sent home under strict quarantine in self-isolation to await the results. The hospital does not have facilities for isolation.
His domestic worker has also been isolated in the house, and has shown no symptoms. The doctor has visited him every day, checking his temperature, blood pressure and other symptoms.
"I have been quite happy to stay at home in my bedroom, and have had excellent care," he said, adding that he still felt weak, and did not really want to eat.
On Thursday afternoon he received the news that the test results were positive. He immediately contacted the tour group leader, to be told that the leader himself, and his wife, had also tested positive, as well as almost half of the group of 27.
He is still feeling weak and tired, but otherwise in good spirits, and will remain in his home in isolation until cleared by his doctor. He is very worried about the spread of the disease.
"It is frightening to think of all the places we have been while touring around, eating in restaurants, touching things, staying in hotels, all over the country, and possibly passing on the infection to others," he said.
The public is advised to call the coronavirus hotline on 0800 029 999 with any suspected cases of corona, or to report or obtain information relevant to the pandemic.
According to Eastern Cape Department of Health Spokesperson Siyanda Manana, the patient has since talking to the Advertiser been transferred to a hospital in Port Elizabeth.
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