As the first African to contract the novel coronavirus in China, Kem Senou Pavel Daryl, a 20-year-old Cameroonian student living in Jingzhou, central China’s Hubei Province, had an unforgettable experience after he was hospitalized on January 30. After 12 days of treatment in a local hospital, he recovered from the virus and was discharged on February 10.

“So long as we make joint efforts, the Chinese and foreigners, we can defeat any disease in the world,” he told People’s Daily.

Daryl speaks fluent Chinese and has a Chinese name, Dong Qichen. He is now a student in the College of Agriculture of Yangtze University in Jingzhou. He went to Wuhan with his friends in January and was infected with the novel coronavirus.

“I got a fever of about 38 degrees Celsius. My teacher was worried about me and phoned me every two hours to know about my condition. I was deeply moved,” he noted.

After he was confirmed to have been infected with the virus, Daryl actively cooperated with the medical workers during the treatment.

“The treatment process was orderly and full of care. Doctors and nurses were professional and diligent. They disinfected the wards, took our temperatures and did medical checks on us regularly. We were offered three meals a day and could watch TV,” recalled Daryl.

“My doctor told me that I had a quick recovery. My teachers and classmates phoned me every day, asking about my progress. I could feel I was getting better day by day,” he said.

After he was tested negative on February 10, Daryl was discharged by the hospital. “Only when I stayed in the hospital did I realize how hard the doctors and nurses worked every day. They were working under great pressure. I know their friends and relatives are also worried about their safety, but they are brave, determined and strong. I must give them a thumbs up,” he said.

“You know what? When the people in Cameroon knew that I recovered from the disease, I became the focus of all the media in my home country. The Cameroonian Embassy in China made an announcement about me. I became a ‘celebrity,’” he smiled.

There are nearly 3,000 African students currently living in Hubei, including about 70 from Cameroon.

“At the beginning, my friends and family members worried about me very much. I had to explain to them that the disease can be controlled and cured,” said Daryl. “In the past, I also experienced malaria and typhoid fever in Cameroon, which were more painful. Being confident and smiling is the best cure.”

Daryl has to stay in his dormitory in isolation for a period of time after being discharged, but he is totally relaxed.

“I have confidence in the Chinese Government. So long as we remain patient and optimistic, we can eventually beat the disease with our joint efforts,” he said. (New Telegraph)

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