Maha: 23 kids recuperate at COVID-19 hospital in Aurangabad

Aurangabad, May 13 () At least 23 children infectedby COVID-19 were undergoing treatment at the dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Maharashtra's Aurangabad city, a healthofficial said on Wednesday.

As many as 23 children between the ages of two to 12years have tested positive in Aurangabad and were undergoingtreatment at the COVID-19 hospital here, said Dr BharatiNagare, head of the hospital's paediatrics department.

"While adults understand the dos and don'ts of beingin quarantine, it is a challenge to prepare these children fortreatment that lasts for at least two weeks," she said.

Apart from the treatment protocol, children also findit difficult to relate to doctors and other staff, who oftenwalk around them wearing PPE kits.

"They are worried and scared when they see us in ourprotective gear. We try to assuage their fears by telling themthat we are their companions for the next few days," thedoctor said.

While some children are quarantined with familymembers, few were in the care of hospital staff, she said.

Parents who tested negative wished to stay with theirinfected children, but the hospital did not allow them, shesaid, adding that they get regular updates about their child'scondition over phone.

A two-week stay at a COVID-19 facility can be nerve-wreaking for many, but doctors and staff of the paediatricward try their best to keep the environment positive andhopeful, she said.

"We try to make the hospital stay for children asexciting as possible, by engaging them in light exercises andinteresting activities," Nagare said.

The courage with which these children are battling thedeadly virus was admirable, she added. AWARU ARU