Pregnant Covid survivor in Kerala gives birth through Caesarean

Thiruvananthapuram: The infant came to this world as a symbol of the hope and survival spirit of his mother when the world is celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter.

A woman, who recovered from Covid-19 just two days ago, gave birth to a healthy baby boy at government medical college hospital, Kannur, Kerala. This is the first such case in the state and the third in the country.

Both the woman and her husband were infected with the virus and were under treatment in the isolation ward at Kannur government medical college.

Both of them recovered and the woman was shifted to the gynaecology ward as her due date was nearing.

She delivered a baby boy on Saturday through Caesarean section. The C section was done by ensuring all safety and precautionary measures.

In his daily press meet with reporters, Kerala chief minister PInarayi Vijayan shared the "happy news" that the woman who was cured of the infection had a baby through Caesarean section.

While talking to the media, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that amidst the apprehensions over the global pandemic, there is a piece of good news from Kannur.

“Both the mother and newborn are doing fine. Congratulations to the medical team,” he said.

The woman hailing from Kasargod got infected from her husband, who returned from Gulf.

"The mother had tested negative. But since her due date was close, she was at the hospital itself. Both the mother and the child are doing well. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the parents and the health officials for taking care of them and the baby," Vijayan said.

Kerala reported 10 more cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, taking the total number of patients under treatment in the state for the deadly virus to 228, Vijayan said.

Nineteen people were cured of coronavirus in the state,

Of the 10 new cases, seven were from Kannur, two from Kasaragod and one from Kozhikode and three of them had come from abroad while seven were the primary contacts of the affected persons.

Kasaragod has 123 COVID-19 cases, which is the highest in Kerala, followed by neighbouring Kannur with 44.

"A total of 373 people were affected with the virus in the state and presently 228 are under treatment in various hospitals. We have 1,23,490 people under observation in the state. We have also sent 14,163 samples for testing," he said.

A 71-year-old coronavirus patient from Mahe, an enclave of Puducherry, died at a hospital in Kerala on Saturday morning.

His final rites were performed at Kannur itself in the presence of Mahe police.

In Alappuzha, the district administrtation has decided to make use of houseboats in the backwaters as isolation units in the event of any emergency.

"We have identified 5,806 beds with attached toilets in Alappuzha from hotels, resorts, hostels and lodges to accommodate patients, if there is a need, as there are not many hospitals in the district", an official said.

The chief minister also said "sanitiser tunnels" at some places have been debunked as "unscientific" by experts and information regarding that has been passed on to the district collectors.

He said strong action would be taken against those who misuse the essential services, including ambulances.

"There was a report that some people were caught at Kozhikode for travelling in an ambulance during the lockdown period. The vehicle was seized. Others had crossed the state borders by walking or riding bikes through or parallel to railway tracks. Such actions will not be allowed," Vijayan said.