Tonsillitis to the CoVID-19 Facility please.

Disclaimer: This will be long. hahaha.

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Let me tell you about my days confined in the Community Quarantine Facility of the city where I work.

I had tonsillitis which started last 07 June 2020, I experienced that common bodily reactions when having this illness (fever, body aches, sore throat, and inflammed tonsils). I decided to let a day pass before having to consult a physician in the nearest hospital of my dormitory. So, I self medicated with paracetamol every 4 hours for fever and pain and did some salt water gargle.

The next day, 08 June 2020, I decided to that i should see a doctor so i would have a prescription for antibiotics, If I need some. So, i got up in the afternoon and proceeded to the hospital. Upon arrival, to my surprise, the facility has a No Appointment, No Consultation Policy as part of their measures during this time of pandemic, so there's no Out Patient Department (OPD) available. So, what I did I tried to ask the nurses manning the triage area there on whom should i contact, so i divulged my signs and symptoms, so they'll also have a clue. They contacted some secretaries of physicians whom they thought might still be inside the hospital and are still willing to take more patients. Sadly, no one was available and i was just then referred to the Emergency Department (ER). 

As I reached the ER, I was asked to fill out some forms stating my conditions and my travel histories for the past weeks, so i answered it honestly (of course, we all have to be honest with this please). So, my temperature, heart rate, and oxygen saturation was taken before escorting me inside the ER. I was then asked to wait on a gurney that has a plastic sheet as curtains.

After a couple of minutes of waiting, i was then told that i would be referred to the CoVID-19 Community Quarantine Facility (CQF) of the city. So, i was shocked, but still kept composed and just followed procedures. After 2 hours of waiting at the ER, I was fetched by a vehicle of the Local Government Unit (LGU) with a crew whom was wearing a complete CoVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and there I knew, I'd be stuck in this protocol for mandatory observation and treatment. Imagine that. Hahahaha. There was no escaping this anymore.

As we arrive at the CQF, there were a lot of people whom just arrived under the Balik Probinsya Program (BPP), it's a repatriation initiative of the National Government for all those Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI) or Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). It was so swamped with returnee, so I was asked to stay on the side for a while, as the crew would be asking the in-charge on where I should go. As the person came back, he then said that the doctor said that I'd be admitted in the facility. I was still calm but deep down inside I was like whaaaaaattttt??? I don't have clothes, how about my work? and other things that kept popping in mind. 

I was still accompanied still by the same guy going up to the my designated area, but he said I'd have my x-ray before proceeding to my bed. Then, i though, oh noes. no clothes, I don't have relatives whom I could ask for favors, but what my main problem was with the room was heat of the room. Although the room had 3 fans, but due to the plastic barries there were no ventilation coming in my assigned bed. I was like in an oven being roasted to perfection.

After a few moments, a nurse came in, in complete PPE, hooked me with an Intravenous line and left me with a microphone if in case I need something. That was definitely it, game over. I am stuck. Hahahaha. So, i tried to call a friend to ask for a favor if she could passby the CQF and pick up my keys of my dorm and possibly pack up all my clothes from my dorm that I'll be needing.

Thank God, she said yes to my request, but at first she was a bit hesitant and asked if it was a prank. Hahahahaha. Well, who'd ever think i'll end up here.

As I was inspecting the room, I noticed that all beds were enclosed in separate makeshift plastic walls, it was really hot. The room had total of 8 beds (including mine), 3 ceiling fans, 1 operational comfort room, a speaker, and a doffing area (a disinfection room for health workers before leaving the room) beside the door.

After an hour or so, a doctor wearing a complete PPE came in to check on me. He did some history taking and some physical examination. He then explained to me that I would be monitored in the facility for a while and be swabbed (nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab for CoVID-19 testing)  and after which entered the doffing area to dispose of the PPE and sanitize before leaving the room.

I stayed there from Monday (08 June 2020) until Thusday (11 June 2020), after my Real time - Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or the CoVID-19 testing came back negative. Which gave me a big relief, even though I know that it would be less likely that I had the disease as I am somewhat like a bit conscious when in terms of Infection Prevention and Control Measures. hahahaha. But, I was still good to hear it from them.

So, I guess, I could really say, don't ever be sick during this time of pandemic as it is really quite stressful and complicated. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Stay Safe and Healthy everyone