Eba Kandovazu
IT was a normal Sunday afternoon for Fillemon Nyau, a state Prosecutor stationed at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court, who had gone to the office to prepare for another week of criminal court.
Unbeknownst to him, he was infected with the deadly coronavirus.
Nyau, who had left his office that Sunday afternoon feeling unwell, went on to test positive on 27 July 2020.
“I also had a bit of fever but I just assumed it was the normal flu. That Sunday at the office, I got really sick and I felt a shortness of breath. I immediately went home. It got worse and at midnight, my wife rushed me to the hospital as I couldn’t breathe. I felt my body vibrating uncontrollably. I was tested after arriving at the hospital, got my results and I was positive for COVID-19,” Nyau said.
According to Nyau, he had no contact with a known confirmed case.
How he contracted the virus remains a mystery to him.
“I have no idea how I got it. I have a few friends who also have the virus, but our contact was minimal, so I’m assuming it is from one of my clients at the office,” Nyau said.
Gasping for air and fighting to survive on that fateful Sunday evening, Nyau said he thought he was going to die.
“God is good and that did not happen. My family was terrified, mostly because when I went to the hospital I was in bad shape and they were not allowed to visit me. I was in for two days with no communication as I was unable to use my phone. I, however, had an amazing Doctor by the name Juno Nashandi and nurses were so kind enough to brief my wife via phone,” Nyau said.
Nyau explained that he was on a ventilator for seven days, of which he was partially unconscious for a period of two days.
His advice to COVID-19 patients is to drink a lot of water, take Vitamin C and B foods and stay positive while adhering to health workers’ instructions.
“Do your breathing therapy sessions, try to walk around without the ventilator, take a few minutes to breathe on your own and change your laying position all the time to ensure that your lungs get enough oxygen and you will be okay in no time,” Nyau advised.
A jovial Nyau expressed his appreciation to the staff at Medi clinic, who he describes as heroes and heroines.
“If it wasn’t for them, I would be with my ancestors,” Nyau jokingly said.
The medical staff, he said, conducted more tests and immediately identified organs of his body that were affected the most.
“The virus makes your body very weak, you cannot even move your head as it will make you extremely tired, let alone using the bathroom. It is the most agonizing feeling you can ever experience as a human being,” he added.
The Prosecutor maintained that he has not experienced any stigma, adding that his friends, family members and colleagues were supportive.
“The Prosecutor General, Martha Imalwa, even took it upon herself to motivate my family and ensure that they were fine, a very scarce quality from many leaders,” Nyau stated.
Nyau was discharged from hospital on Monday this week and is back home with his loved ones.
“The virus is real. Let us all adhere to the COVID-19 regulations and slow down on alcohol. We should also avoid gatherings, sharing any smoking equipment and we should by all means wear masks. The virus is not a minor flu. It is deadly and if we continue behaving recklessly we will put a lot of pressure on our hospitals and that could also result in more loss of life,” Nyau cautioned the public.
