‘Contracting virus not the end of the world’

VISHAV SHARMA (25), who tested positive in April was mistakenly discharged and called back to the hospital within hours as he was still positive.

There’s a collective prayer on everyone’s mind — they should not test positive for Covid. But unfortunately, some have. I don’t know how people, at present under treatment, are responding to this deadly virus, or what was the experience of others, who are now cured. But I bet nobody got to experience what I had to.

On April 10, I got admitted to the Civil Hospital. The first 24 hours at the isolation ward were tough. It was like I have been imprisoned. But later, I adjusted or I should say I had to adjust because that's the only way to recover. Also, the staff at the hospital was very cooperative. — Vishav Sharma

I am one of the two patients, who were mistakenly discharged by the Civil Hospital with the declaration that we have recovered even though both of us were positive. Not just this, after I was discharged, I went back home to a rousing reception and met my neighbours, family and friends, but who knew this welcome I received would turn into a nightmare and put at least 20 more lives at risk.

Honestly saying, I never had any Covid symptom. I gave my samples on April 8 because I came in contact with Congress block president Deepak Sharma, who tested positive then. When I gave my sample, I was very much sure that my reports would be negative, as I was feeling absolutely fine, but to my surprise, my report came out positive. However, I am thankful to God that despite my reports being positive, my parents didn’t contract the virus from me and their reports came out negative.

On April 10, I got admitted to the Civil Hospital. The first 24 hours at the isolation ward were tough. It was like I have been imprisoned. But later, I adjusted or I should say I had to adjust because that’s the only way to recover. Also, the staff at the hospital was very cooperative, I got my meals on time and they took good care of me. I have no idea how time passed. After 18 days, on April 28, I was tested again. It was then that the most interesting part of my Covid journey happened. I was sent back home on April 29 evening, saying I had recovered, only to be called back to the hospital again at 12:30am with the news that I was still positive.

But as they say ‘jaako rakhe saiyaan maar sake naa koi’, I was, at that time, not worried at all about my health and came back to the hospital. However, all I was thinking was about my friends, neighbours and family members, who welcomed me with flowers and came to meet me. Also, the news of this incident was a major headline in all newspapers that day, but fortunately, it caused no damage and everyone who met me tested negative.

After spending 15 more days at the hospital, I finally tested negative and went back home to have a fresh start.

But interestingly, be it before giving my samples or during the treatment or even after getting cured, I never had any symptom. I stayed in hospital for 34 days and trust me, I was absolutely hale and hearty. I used to watch movies, listen to songs, talk to my family, friends and be in contact through video calls.

Contracting Covid isn’t the end of the world but there will be issues if you do not adhere to the precautions. I would like to request everyone to eat healthy food and drink hot water after every hour. Covid has taught me a new lesson in life — if you have the right fighting spirit and positive attitude, you can definitely beat anything and emerge as a winner.

— As told to Avneet Kaur