ALONE AND AFRAID
Ex-Durbanite describes terrifying symptoms
FROM her hospital bed in London, one could hear the strain in Komala Naidoo’s voice as she struggled to speak on the phone.
The former Isipingo resident, who settled in Croydon, south of London, with her husband and three sons was diagnosed with Covid-19 last week.
“I am trying to remain positive and am grateful for the support and encouragement from my family and friends,” she said on Monday.
“All along, I knew there was a possibility I would be positive for the virus, but after it was confirmed, it made me feel anxious and emotional. I could not stop crying.
“I am struggling to breathe and there are times when I feel as if I am being strangled. I can barely stand up for five seconds to even go to the toilet.”
The 55-year-old primary school teacher, who emigrated more than 25 years ago, said she felt scared after the doctors informed her that her family could have the virus.
They are yet to undergo testing and are self-isolating.
“As a mother and a wife, who cannot be there for her family, it is heartbreaking but I am going to remain positive and pray.”
Naidoo was too weak to continue the conversation.
Her family, in KwaZulu-Natal, are feeling emotional and helpless as they are thousands of kilometres away from her.
Naidoo’s brother, Kuben Moodley, of Isipingo, said his sister tested positive for the virus two days after she was admitted to the Croydon University Hospital on April 2.
He said he last saw Naidoo seven years ago during a visit to London.
“This is a difficult time for our family, but we are trying to remain positive that she will get through this battle,” said Moodley.
“There is also the feeling of being helpless as we cannot physically support her or her husband and the children. All we are able to do is offer moral support and encouragement over the phone.”
Moodley said it was believed that Naidoo contracted the virus while attending a conference with about 40 teachers last month.
“Shortly after the conference, she started to feel unwell. She had difficulty breathing.
“She also began coughing, had headaches and a fever.
“Last week, she was struggling to breathe and had to be admitted. We were also told that her husband and one of the boys was also experiencing similar symptoms and are isolating.”
The UK enforced a lockdown on March 24.
The country has more than 51 000 confirmed Covid-19 infections and more than 5 000 deaths.
This week, Boris Johnson, the British prime minister, was moved to intensive care in hospital after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.
Moodley said that looking at the UK’s infected, it was disappointing that many South Africans were disregarding the lockdown.
“Many people are walking around with the mindset that it cannot happen to them or their families but this is the reality, it can happen to anyone irrespective of your race, age, being poor or rich.
“Before people make the decision to disregard the rules, they need to think about their families and what they would feel if they never saw you again?
“Once you are taken away in that ambulance or admitted to hospital and tested positive, you will not be able to have them at your bedside, to hold your hand and comfort you.”