'Taking off my mask just for 5 min, I contracted virus'

MARDIN, Turkey

A business person, infected with COVID-19 while sitting in a car with his friend for only five minutes without a mask in southeastern Mardin province of Turkey, urged everyone to pay attention to pandemic measures, such as social distancing and wearing face masks.

“I did not leave my home for three months. I just [once] sat in the car with a friend for five minutes without a mask, and then I got the disease,” Ekrem Sumer said.

Sumer added that he was infected from his friend and then they were both treated.

Sumer, 56, went to a hospital, suffering from high fever. After testing positive for the virus, he began receiving treatment.

He remained in the hospital for 10 days, and was discharged after testing negative.

Sumer told Anadolu Agency that he could talk with his family members only over the phone during the treatment and quarantine.

“I stayed in the hospital for 10 days. I was very stressed in the first week. I did not see my children for 20 days.

"My concern was whether I infected someone else. I was so anxious about the possibility of having infected those around me,” he said.

He added that he was relieved when other family members tested negative for the virus.

Mardin is among the provinces where cases are on the rise recently, Sumer said, calling on everyone to wear masks and pay attention to social distancing.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan in Ankara.