Earlier this week, Nolusindiso Dayile, a paramedic from Khayelitsha, was successfully discharged from Tygerberg Hospital after 44 days, of which 23 days were spent in the Intensive Care Unit.

After falling ill with shortness of breath and flu-like symptoms, she presented to Tygerberg Hospital’s COVID-19 Triage and Testing Centre for testing. Because she had low levels of oxygen she was immediately admitted into a COVID-19 ward to commence treatment on supplemental oxygen and steroids.

Her condition continued to deteriorate over the next five days, and this resulted in her being admitted to the ICU for high flow oxygen therapy. This proved insufficient and she was intubated the next day. She clung to life breathing through a tube attached to a ventilator for the next nine days before her condition stabilised and took a turn for the better and was then able to come off the machine.

A visibly grateful Nolusindiso (43) is doing very well, is completely off oxygen and was excited to be going home this week. “I am very grateful for the excellent care I have received in ICU and in the wards, and for the staff who went the extra mile, and for their encouragement and support.”

Dr Saadiq Moolla, one of the treating doctors, says getting patients off ventilators and out of the COVID ICU are important milestones in their treatment.

“The most rewarding moment when looking after patients like Mrs Dayile is always seeing how their faces light up with a broad smile when they find out that they’re finally well enough to go home after such a long and difficult stay in hospital.”