- Title: Never fear: recovered Syrian coronavirus patient recounts journey
- Date: 13th April 2020
- Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (APRIL 9, 2020) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN STUDENT WHO RECOVERED FROM CORONAVIRUS INFECTION, ALI JAHJAH, SAYING (SPEAKING ON SKYPE): "Fear makes the immune system weaker and puts pressure on the respiratory system. I tried to be normal to maintain normal health. I used to stand in my balcony and enjoy fresh air so that I don't get frustrated. I did not have any respiratory problems but I had some problems with my joints. It is good for people not to be scared or terrified."
- Embargoed: 27th April 2020 18:13
- Keywords: COVID-19 Coronavirus Curfew Quarantine Syria
- Location: DAMASCUS, SYRIA
- City: DAMASCUS, SYRIA
- Country: Syria
- Topics: Living / Lifestyle,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA002C9BRB6D
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: PART QUALITY AS INCOMING
Syrian student Ali Jahjah is among five coronavirus patients who recovered from the disease in the war-torn country, where the Health Ministry confirmed a total of 25 cases.
The 20-year-old medical student was initially infected while studying in the Iranian city of Qom.
Upon his return to Syria, he was treated in a medical isolation centre in the capital, where he tried to stay calm by standing on his balcony and taking deep breaths.
Syrian health officials said there are 450 isolation rooms currently equipped to receive patients. The ministry conducts between 100-200 coronavirus tests daily, with plans to increase that number.
With a health system ravaged by almost a decade of civil war, it is widely feared Syria will not be able to contain the coronavirus.
(Production: Kinda Makieh, Firas Makdesi) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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