People's Post Athlone - 4 August 2020

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ATHLONE

41 Induland Cres. Lansdowne Ind. Since 1998

Supplier of a wide range of disposable packaging • All types of Paper, Plastic bags • Cake, Pizza, Party boxes • Serviettes, Garage, Toilet rolls • Cling, Bubble, Lunch wrap • Cutlery, Straws, Heatsealers

• Cups, Tubs, Lids • Fomo Trays, Plates • Foil Trays, Rolls • Platters, Domes • Detergents, etc

Tel: 021 691 8811 • Cell: 081 513 3152 E-mail: info@carlierpackaging.co.za

Free delivery

Conditions apply X1W9638W-QK040820

TUESDAY 4 August 2020 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za

@ThePeoplesPost

People’s Post

SURREY ESTATE

An isolation love story SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS SAMANTHA.LEE@PEOPLESPOST.CO.ZA @SAMANTHA_LEE121

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Valarie and Jacob Bruiners. tion and treatment that patients require. This also aided wheelchair-bound Jacob who can now safely use a walker as a result of their treatment. “The place is wheelchair friendly, the staff are helpful and caring and the love I have for my wife grew even stronger. We bonded with each other and the place was peaceful. I have called this place ‘heaven’ because the staff wore white outfits, they treated us well, the other people using the service were friendly and everyone was laughing and made me feel comfortable,” says Jacob. The couple has since returned home and is enjoying life, grateful to have recovered from Covid-19, despite their ages and comorbidities. The provincial government has established several isolation facilities to assist those unable to safely quarantine at home.

Quarantine is defined in the State of National Disaster Regulations as the restriction of activities or separation of a person who was, or may potentially have been exposed, to Covid-19, such a person has the potential to spread the disease to others. The aim of quarantine is to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infection and contamination. Isolation is defined in these regulations as separating a sick person with a contagious disease from healthy people. The aim of isolation is to prevent the spread of infection and contamination. Monique Johnstone, spokesperson for the provincial department of health, says if more than one person tests positive, they can be given the option of isolating together as was in the case of the Bruiners. “We do isolate families and couples together if they have multiple people residing in

a home and cannot safely isolate separately from their high-risk family members,” she says. The facilities are available to anyone who needs them. “These facilities are available to everyone who cannot safely isolate at home to protect their vulnerable loved ones and there is no cost involved. We arrange for the Red Dot taxi service to collect the person at home and transport them safely back home once the isolation and quarantine period is completed. We encourage people to pack sufficient clothes and snacks for the duration of their stay,” says Johnstone. Three healthy meals are served daily. V If you have been diagnosed as positive for Covid-19 you should go into quarantine for 10 days. If you are not able to quarantine yourself safely at home, call the provincial hotline at 021 928 4102 for help.

R1500

OFF

or many, the thought of isolating from your loved ones for several days after testing positive for Covid-19 can be daunting. Especially if you are in the highrisk category. But for Valarie and Jacob Bruiners, who have been married for 35 years, spending time together in one of the province’s Covid19 isolation facility for a few days was like a second honeymoon, making their marital bond even stronger. Jacobs (67) is wheelchair-bound and suffers from diabetes and hypertension. When he started having breathing difficulties at home, he was tested for Covid-19. After he received his positive result, they were informed of their isolation options and chose to quarantine at a Western Cape health isolation facility in the Cape Town metropole. “I was very calm and did not panic when I found out I had the Coronavirus, because if you stress, then you will make yourself even sicker,” says Jacob. “The department arranged for the Red Dot taxi to collect me, and I had to leave my wife behind because I could not safely isolate at home and I understood that it was the best decision for my family.” Valerie (71), who is a community worker,, volunteers making food for a local feeding scheme. After her husband tested positive she went to get tested even though she had displayed no symptoms. Upon receiving her positive result it was decided that the couple would isolate together. “After all, it is not right for a wife to be in a strange place without her husband,” says Valerie. “The staff were so helpful. They made arrangements to have me isolate in a double room with my husband.” Jacob was happy to have his wife with him which lifted his already positive spirits even more. “When I saw my wife, I felt so much better and was very happy that we could be together again, my spirit was lifted,” says Jacob. The Bruiners were provided with medication and were monitored daily by staff in case any complications presented. The isolation facilities also provide three daily healthy meals and any additional medica-

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