A woman has been self-isolating herself at her Red Deer home since Saturday, when she started experiencing mild symptoms.
She is urging anyone who may be experiencing mild symptoms like she is, to do the same thing.
“It’s our public duty. We don’t want to end up like Italy,” the woman said Monday.
“I think everyone needs to take symptoms seriously.”
In keeping with patient confidentiality, the Advocate has agreed not to identify the 31-year-old.
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On Saturday morning, she noticed she had a sore throat, a runny nose and felt tired. On Sunday morning, she also had a cough.
“So I thought I will keep a close eye on myself,” she said Monday.
She also took the self assessment tool online for COVID-19 over the weekend. The results recommended the woman self-isolate herself. With that, she let her work know she was experiencing symptoms.
She also got on the phone and called Health Link 811. They told her that given that her symptoms are mild at this time, and she hasn’t been in touch with anyone recently who has travelled abroad, she should go into self-isolation.
The person who answered her Health Link call told the woman she may have a case of the COVID-19 virus or a different strain of the flu.
The only way to know for sure would be to take the test. That won’t happen until her symptoms become more severe, or if the testing criteria changes, she said.
“So they strongly suggested I go into self-isolation,” she said.
The Red Deerian got her flu shot this season, and doesn’t usually get the illness.
Whether or not it’s COVID-19, she believes it’s better and safer to self-isolate.
“We have to protect the more vulnerable people,” she said, speaking of seniors and those with chronic medical conditions.
“Honestly, if I took an Advil right now, I could go to work, no problem. I just have a mild cough, and I’m a little more tired and my throat is sore. But I’m then putting potentially so many people at risk.”
The woman’s husband is also with her in self-isolation at home, as he also showed signs over the weekend: sore throat, joint pain and mild cough.
The province confirmed a second case of COVID-19 in the central zone Monday afternoon. The government will not confirm the exact location of the two cases.
On Sunday, officials announced there is now evidence of community transmission of coronavirus in the province. Up until Sunday, all the cases had been travel related.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
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