21 children, including newborn, defeat COVID-19 in Indore

Indore, May 11 () A 20-day-old baby girl, one ofthe youngest COVID-19 patients in Madhya Pradesh, and 20 otherchildren below the age of two years have defeated the deadlyviral infection in the worst hit Indore district, officialssaid.

Their mothers also made all efforts to shower theirlove and affection on the children to help them recover fromthe disease.

Indore-based Choithram Hospital's senior pediatricianDr Rashmi Shad told that a 20-day-old girl, and two boys,aged two months and 18 months, have been discharged from theprivate medical facility's COVID-19 ward in last 15 days.

After the treatment, these children tested negativetwice for the disease.

"The 20-day-old girl was admitted to the hospital onMay 1 and discharged on May 9. She contracted the infectionfrom a close relative. But, what is surprising is that hermother, who stood by her side round-the-clock, did not catchthe infection," she said.

Besides, 18 other children below the age of two alsorecovered from COVID-19 and were discharged from Sri AurobindoInstitute of Medical Sciences here in last 45 days, theprivate hospital's chest disease department head Dr Ravi Dosisaid.

Out of these 18 children, eight were below the age ofsix months and completely dependent on mother's feed, he said.

"It was an altogether different experience for me tosee such small children admitted in the COVID-19 ward. Theydefeated the disease with the help of medicines and theirstrong immunity," Dr Dosi said.

"I can't describe in words my happiness when I sawthese children going home from the hospital with theirdelighted mothers," he said.

Dr Shad and Dr Dosi informed that the mothers woremasks and took all other precautions against the virus whilebreast-feeding their children in the hospitals.

Indore's Chief Medical and Health Officer PraveenJadia said they have advised that these children along withtheir mothers stay in isolation at home for 14 days, likeother patients.

A regular follow-up of their health condition is beingdone, he said.

Indore has so far reported 1,935 COVID-19 cases and 90deaths. Till now, 898 people have been discharged afterrecovery, he added. HWP LAL MASGK GK