Let me tell you a story. I went to the swabbing center on October 19th and was told that the result will be out in 3-5 days.To be fair, it was my boss who said that but I assume it was from someone inside as well. Anyway, it was actually a very decent place. It was a sports complex turned to a testing facility and yeah simply put, you wouldn’t be afraid to get tested there. It was actually a pleasant experience.
Anyway, there have been a delay with the results because as of the moment, Red Cross pulled out from the whole equation because PhilHealth was then funding Red Cross and gracious goodness we all know what happened to PhilHealth. Or do we? It was then said that the results will be out in 5-7 days. On the 7th day mark, I got a call from a contact tracer and asked if I am (co-worker’s name) I said no. He apologized and dropped the call. One of my bosses told us that results are already available and to expect a call soon and so I waited. After about 5 co-workers posted their results, I tried to contact the contact tracer and was answered by the head nurse of the health center where my workplace is at. She said, we already referred your case to your local health center but since you asked, unfortunately, you tested positive. And I was so shocked. I remember telling everyone that I know I’m negative because I didn’t have a face-to-face encounter with that COVID-19 positive doctor. I told the nurse that and she was like very sympathetic about it. Whether it be fake or real sympathy, still! Thank you nurse.
I tried to call and texted the dentist that I went to on Sunday, the day before I got tested. The dentist is the only person I had a direct-direct contact to given she had to do something inside my mouth. The only mistake I see that I’ve done is that I didn’t tell her right away that I got tested. But my stand is that I solemnly swear I didn’t know that time. I wasn’t even tested then. I didn’t even know about that there was all this commotion happening.
Why was I tested? Sunday afternoon, we were told that a doctor tested positive and listed the clinic (as a whole) as close contact. So we all went for a swab on Monday and got the result 1 week after. Now, I don’t blame anyone for catching the virus. I took a bath before and after going to work. At work, I wore my PPE, I always had double mask on. I wore my face shield when I’m in front of a patient, I washed my hands after I remove my gloves or just before I wore another one, I was generous in spraying myself with alcohol when I have time, I disinfected my working area maybe every other hour, I washed my hands before and after lunch break, same thing when I go to the wash room, I didn’t use public transportation, I wore mask whilst I was out of the house, and you know, the list goes on. I don’t know where I lapsed to be honest. Maybe I should have been more careful. Or maybe that’s just how this virus works. NOW. Did I get the virus from the doctor? Maybe. Did I get it from the dentist that I went to on Sunday? Maybe. Did I get it from somewhere else? Maybe. Who knows? What can I tell you? The world isn’t perfect.
It’s been 13 days since the alleged exposure and I’m on my 10th day of isolation. I’m generally feeling okay. Anyway, I can survive this. I know my body and I feel like I can survive this. I do cough here and there and I have a runny nose but I don’t have a fever and my oxygen saturation is top notch. I don’t have difficulty in breathing and I can smell and taste my food. If there’s anything that I am worried about, it’s my mom. ‘Coz she’s understandably worried about me and I guess with her being 52, it’s already hard for her to go up to the 4th floor (where I’m currently isolated) to bring me my food. I feel bad for her to be honest. I guess moms will be moms though but yeah. Stay safe people.
