Braveheart Kerala nurse who recovered from COVID-19 keen on resuming duty in isolation ward

Kottayam (Ker), Apr 5 () "I will leave this roomwithin a week after defeating you," the braveheart nurse hadvowed after contracting the deadly coronavirus while attendingto India's oldest COVID-19 survior, expressing unflinchingfaith in Kerala's health care system.

Last Friday, 32-year old Reshma Mohandas lived up to herpromise and walked out holding her head high to her home,where she is now placed under 14-day quarantine, after she andthe elderly man and his were discharged from the MedicalCollege Hospital here on being cured of the disease. Soon after 93-year-old Thomas Abraham, whose recovery hasbeen dubbed as a 'miracle cure' by the medical community, and88-year old Mariyamma left the hospital, Reshma too headedhome but with the resolve to come back and serve the patientsafter the mandatory two weeks quarantine. "I will leave this room within a week after defeatingyou (coronavirus)", Reshma had posted in a WhatsApp group ofher friends and colleagues while undergoing treatment inisolation at the hospital. "I posted that message in the WhatsApp group because Ihave full faith in Kerala's health system. It is world class,"Reshma told from her home.

The nurse, who took care Thomas and Mariyamma since March12, believes she contracted the disease as she was in closecontact with and often talked to the couple, who did not wearmasks as it made them uncomfortable.

She said she loved taking care of all their needs.

"I was not tensed at all. I love taking care of elderlypeople. We used to talk a lot (in the ICU)", she said.

Reshma, who was earlier working in the operating theatreof another section, said she used work for four hours in theICU before she contracted the virus and was admitted to thesame wing as a patient.

"I had close contact with them in the ICU because I paidattention to address their every needs," she said.

The first warning sign came on March 23 morning when shehad a throat infection.

Reshma immediately alerted the head nurse, who in turninformed the doctors.

She was asked to visit the fever clinic at the MedicalCollege and was later referred to the isolation facility whereshe took care of elderly novel coronavirus patients.

Some 20 nurses who had come into contact with her weresent to home quarantine.

On March 24, she tested positive.

"I did not have any other complications, barring headacheand body pain", she said.

Reshma said she was ready to serve in the isolationfacility for COVID-19 patients after 14 days of mandatory homequarantine. "I am ready to work again in the isolation facility when Ireturn," the feisty nurse, whose husband is an engineer, said.

She was all the more happy that proper medical care atthe hospital led to recovery of Abraham and Mariyamma.

Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja telephoned Reshma toexpress her happiness over her recovery.

The Minister said the news about a health professionalcontracting the coronavirus was a matter of concern for thestate. In a statement, she hailed Reshma's dedication as aprofessional and said she had treated elderly patients likeher parents, attending to their every need.

The elderly couple, hailing from Ranni village inPathanamthitta district had contracted the virus from theirson, daughter-in-law and grandson who returned from Italy lastmonth, all of whom have also recovered. TGB APRVS VS