‘I thought it was a virus that I wouldn’t get’ – Oudtshoorn patient zero

Oudtshoorn’s first confirmed COVID-19 patient says that her positive test for the virus came as a big surprise.

Charmaine Huyser is currently in self-isolation after receiving the news that she tested positive from her doctor.

No idea how she got COVID-19 virus

Huyser has no idea whom she contracted the virus from but says she started feeling ill about two weeks ago. She attributed her mild fever and body pains to stress and fatigue, but after discussions with her doctor, decided to get tested for COVID-19.

“I have no idea where I got the virus, and corona was the last thing I thought of when I started feeling poorly,” Huyser told Oudtshoorn Courant.

“I understand that people are living in fear of the virus, and that is why my doctor and I talked this morning and decided to let people know there is no reason to panic.

“I developed a mild fever, and my body was sore, but I attributed it to fatigue and tension.

“My fever wasn’t very high, but my doctor sent me to Mediclinic to be tested, even though I didn’t have all the symptoms.”

In shock

Huyser says that when she received the results of her tests, she was in shock. She reassured residents of the Western Cape town that she has traced all of her contacts in the last two weeks and notified them. Huyser works from home on a farm 12km outside of the town itself.

“It was a shock to me because, like most people, I thought it was a virus that I wouldn’t get.

“I want people to know that I work from home out of town and that everyone I’ve been in contact with has already been contacted by the health department. They call my family every day to make sure none of them show any symptoms.”

Huyser, who turns 50 on Monday, says she is isolated from her family and has found the whole experience to be surreal.

“My family and family members in the house are in their own part and my meals are put in a paper board in front of my door. 

“It’s quite strange to be with your family but not have contact with them. My family supports me a lot, and I am eternally grateful.

“I’m turning 50 on Monday, and it’s probably going to be the strangest birthday of my life.”

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Huyser says she is grateful that her symptoms have been mild considering the number of fatalities and critically ill cases attributed to COVID-19.

“I think I am fortunate to have the disease in a very mild degree, but I must also say that I have always been living a healthy life and taking vitamins regularly,” Huyser said.

Huyser says she is talking about COVID-19 to help people better understand the virus and cut through the myths and misinformation that abound at this time.

“Please do not live in fear, this is a virus that can strike anyone, but it is not the end. My advice is if you just consult one of the symptoms right away, your doctor should not wait too long.

“I was quite shocked at the comments some people make, but I understand that it arises out of fear.”