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UAE fights Covid-19: Emirati shares his coronavirus recovery experience

Sharjah - Al Kaabi said everyone should stay home, strictly observe physical distancing.

Exhausted, shivering, nauseating with severe pain - this is how 59-year-old Emirati Mohamed Salem Al Kaabi, who just recovered from Covid-19 infection, described his second day after returning from a trip to the US.
"Everything was fine, but suddenly, things turned upside down," Al Kaabi told Khaleej Times on Monday. "I had a severe headache and lost balance and control over my body. I could not even hold my mobile phone."
Sharjah-based Al Kaabi, chairman of the Emirates Human Rights Association, had not imagined how harsh it would be to become a Covid-19 patient. "I was returning home with my father - a cancer patient - along with my brother. However, I was the only one who contracted the virus."
All precautionary measures had been strictly observed with Al Kaabi's father, whose immunity was vulnerable. "It was me who was moving around the finish all due procedures and paperwork. That might mostly be the reason behind my Covid-19 infection," he said.
Luckily, Al Kaabi, along with his father and brother, was automatically quarantined in a Dubai-based hotel when they arrived in the UAE on March 25. "We first thought that we would remain home for 14 days, but the rule was changed, and anyone coming to the country was admitted to a hotel-based quarantine," he said.
"I was feeling severe cold and my temperature spiked in no time. I was immediately shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a nearby hospital."
Al Kaabi was treated with the chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine on the first day. "The doctors changed this anti-malarial medicine on the second day as it did not suit me. They gave me other medicines, including powerful antibiotics to beat pneumonia. I really do not remember how many days I was kept there. I could not identify day from night. I wanted to sleep all the time."
Thankfully, Al Kaabi was closely monitored and attended to round the clock. Three days later, he was shifted from the ICU to a private room where he stayed for 10 days.
After fully recovering from the virus and testing negative for Covid-19, he was permitted to return home, with full observance to an additional 14-day quarantine. "This 14-day quarantine is kind of a follow-up to make sure that I am totally sound and there is no chance to infect others."
Al Kaabi has not told his father about contracting Covid-19. "He is a cancer patient and I did not want him to feel sad."
He said that his home quarantine was ready before arrival. "My family was well aware of home quarantine and got everything ready for me," he said. " I communicate with my family, keeping a distance."
Al Kaabi said everyone should stay home, strictly observe physical distancing, and wear face masks and gloves if they do need to go outdoors. "These precautionary measures are life-saving, and failing to adhere to them will make anyone, man or woman, old or young, easily vulnerable to catch the deadly virus."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com