My experience at isolation centre – COVID-19 survivor

A Nigerian who returned from the United Kingdom and was tested positive for COVID-19, revealed on her social media that she had been discharged after testing negative twice at the isolation ward of the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Yaba.

Recounting how it all started, Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, the Executive Director, Stand to End Rape said, “I returned to Nigeria from the UK postCommonwealth event (I totally enjoyed) and fell ill. As a responsible person, I selfisolated.

“Days after, I tested positive for COVID-19,” she said.

“Before returning, I had planned several interviews, I was scheduled to start a fantastic consultancy job and was also expecting to sign a contract worth millions. I lost them all.”

Speaking further, Oluwaseun said, “I had to self-isolate and also inform people I came in close contact with to get tested for COVID-19. My friend and I kept calling NCDC to get tested. At 12am, an ambulance was at my house. I woke from sleep and was crying. I got to the isolation centre, but no one was there to receive me.

“I waited in the ambulance for two hours. The nurses eventually came out and treated me like a plague. I sat in the ambulance feeling rejected.

“After two hours, I was taken to my space. I felt lonely, bored and disconnected from the outside world. Few days after, another patient came in. We bonded. Days later, patients trooped in. I was wondering if people were observing self-isolation and social distancing because I was so scared for Nigeria.”

Osowobi, who is a TIME 100 NEXT Honouree explained, “The next days were tough. No appetite. The nausea, vomit and stooling were unbearable.”

On the medications given to her that changed her status from COVID-19 positive to negative, she said, “I was on drugs daily. Sometimes, I would take eight tablets in the morning, 13 tablets in the afternoon, and 10 at night. My system threw everything out. Water and food were all disgusting.”

She expressed her happiness when the result changed from positive to negative. “The doctors shared good news that I tested negative for COVID-19 and I shared this news with family friends.”