Doctors, nurses worked “round the clock” – COVID-19 survivor

…says COVID-19 “real” and is a “killer”

COVID-19 survivor Orin Boyce is one of the many persons in Guyana who were infected with the life-threatening virus, but recovered completely after being treated at the Infectious Diseases Facility at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
Now recovered, Boyce has high praise for the doctors and other personnel at the facility, whom he said worked ‘round the clock’ to ensure he was getting the best treatment possible.

A few weeks ago, Boyce recalled, he began to feel unwell, and was not able to complete his daily work activities. With the onset of these signs, he was swabbed for COVID-19 the following day, and the result was positive.
“I normally would work sometimes 10 to 12 hours per day, and I didn’t really feel well. When I came home around 02:30pm and went to bed, my wife said, ‘Something’s wrong here’. The following night, I went at Woodlands and I did the test, and it came up positive,” the man shared.
He said he had developed symptoms associated with the virus within a few days, but adjusted his diet to supplement his immune system. However, after the seventh day, he developed breathing complications, and had to be taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
“This thing got you tired. You don’t want to walk around, and between the eighth and ninth day, I find that I started getting problems breathing…The Friday, it took to the worse, and I couldn’t breathe properly. My wife took me to East Street (GPHC), they put me on oxygen because I had difficulty breathing, and I could tell you (that), within half an hour, I got so weak I couldn’t even get up. It was painful.”
He said the next day he was admitted a patient at the Ocean View Facility. Boyce expressed that the treatment from healthcare personnel at the designated hospital was excellent, with persons working beyond the call of duty to ensure patients are comfortable. Moreover, they specifically treated infected persons on a case-by-case basis according to their complications and needs.
“The recovery period at the facility was excellent. The nurses and doctors work assiduously. When I was admitted, I could not breathe; I was on oxygen, and the support in terms of the doctors checking up every four hours, checking your vitals, pressure, and making sure that everything is intact… My recovery was very formative. They worked round the clock.”
He added, “When I was admitted, from what I observed, the doctors would prepare a cocktail for everyone. Some patients would be diabetic, some would have high blood pressure complications; so, based on your illness and the challenges you have, they would document it. From that they would be able to come up with the different medication based on your illness.”
Boyce is one of the architects behind the design of the COVID facility, but being in that space as a patient was an awakening experience, he noted.
He said, “It was remarkable…What happened gave me a second chance at life. I was so busy, and my faith made me realise that life is nothing. With the help of God, you have to pray. When I went in there, I said to myself I am not dying in there; I am coming out safe and healthy. It is very frightening.”
Now he is advising persons to ensure that they are protected at all cost, and adhere to the national guidelines instituted to keep them safe. He added that if an outing is not essential, persons should desist from mingling in the public domain. Even today, he cannot pinpoint where or whom exactly he contracted the virus from.
“This thing is not a myth. This thing is serious. It’s not easy. Some people have this thing that they will drink some ‘bush’ and feel well. No. This thing is a killer. I could tell you this thing brought me down to my knees. Some days I actually broke down and crying because it’s you alone in there. Some of the persons that are dying are the ones giving up, because if you’re not mentally strong, you’re going to crumble in there.”
Since the Infectious Diseases Hospital opened its doors last year September, the Health Minister has revealed, a total of 2338 patients were admitted up to the end of August. Of this number, 2003 or 85.7 per cent were successfully treated and discharged. (Rupa Seenaraine)