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Ms. Yasmin Gaffoor, 58, was petrified when she and her husband, Anwar, 66, contracted Covid-19 in March.
As a health aide, Ms. Gaffoor was more concerned for her husband than for herself.
The mother of two said: “I spent nights without sleep, terrified that he might die because of his age.
“I imagined the worst, after reading the reports of older people dying from Covid-19.”
The couple were admitted to the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), but initially in different rooms. Ms Gaffoor was concerned that Covid-19 patients are not allowed to leave their rooms, she said.
However, she asked her doctor, NCID consultant Dr. Sapna Sadarangani, if she could be in the same room as her husband for 30 years and her wish was granted.
She said: “I felt so much more confident being able to see him in the same room. By being together, our mental well-being improved, which helped our (physical) well-being.”
Now, the Gaffoors are part of a group of Covid-19 patients featured in an ad campaign launched by advertising agency BBDO Singapore and media agency OMD Singapore to pay tribute to healthcare personnel on the front lines of the battle for coronavirus.
His Beyond the Case campaign also aims to put a face and a voice to those who got sick.
BBDO Singapore CEO Nick Morrell said: “We wish to give survivors a voice and give them a platform to wholeheartedly thank the nurses who cared for them and send an honest and empowering message to all healthcare workers and up front, ocean liners who express their dedication and hard work are appreciated.
“And if you make even one of our wonderful nurses smile, you’ve done your job.”
The campaign began in June, with advertisements posted at 300 bus stops and taxi stands, especially those near hospitals, where health personnel are more likely to see them.
Other patients included in the campaign include dating agency Lunch Actually co-founder Violet Lim, 40, and bank IT manager Raymond Koh, 47.
Ms. Lim was case 667, while Mr. Koh was case 168. He was seriously ill and spent five days in the intensive care unit.
Gaffoor, who was case 384, tested positive for the coronavirus after he contracted a fever and cough.
“It was like the flu. I was pretty calm because the deaths were low,” he said.
A few days later, Ms. Gaffoor developed a mild fever, tested positive for the virus, and was also protected at NCID. She was case 553. She had a mild fever and diarrhea, but said she felt fine otherwise.
Gaffoor said: “It was more traumatic for our daughters that we both got infected. Thank God, our children did not get infected.”
The couple lives with one of their daughters, a son-in-law and a maid. They have another daughter, who is married.
Mr. Gaffoor was hospitalized for 14 days at NCID, while his wife was there for nine days.
As they were both clinically well but still positive for the virus, they were sent to D’resort, a community isolation facility. There he spent 14 days and she 11.
The Gaffoors were praise for the NCID staff.
Ms. Gaffoor said: “They were always smiling and reassuring us that we would recover soon. We really salute them.”
At first, Ms. Gaffoor was concerned about going back to work as an X-ray assistant at a polyclinic after her illness.
He was afraid of contracting the virus again, but since then he has dealt with his fears, seeing how well protected the health personnel are with their personal protective equipment.
Mr Gaffoor said: “We are very blessed that Singapore has such an excellent healthcare system.”
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