While the whole world is struggling with Coronavirus, here is the story of India’s first Coronavirus Survivor. It was not just the medical facilities but her mother’s support that gave her the strength to fight back.
At 2.30 am on January 23, this brave young 20-YO along with twenty other Indians from her medical college in Wuhan left campus. Just a few hours after they left Wuhan, that was the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, was under lockdown.
Though the students were aware that many people had been affected by pneumonia, they thought they were safe as it spread due to man-animal contact.
But as they left campus to board a train to the Airport, they learned that the disease spread from human to human too. It was a worrying thought.
After boarding a one-way flight to Kolkata, she flew to Kochi and then traveled to Thrissur, arriving there on January 24. Everything was fine until January 27 when she got a sore throat and cough.
Also Read: How To Protect Yourself From Coronavirus: Symptoms & Precautions
As she was aware of the procedure, she approached the local health inspector. She was immediately admitted to the general hospital along with three others, one of them her college senior.
The next three days went without event. But her anxiety deepened when she learnt that one of the four persons had tested positive for Coronavirus.
“No one was telling me what my status was. And this had me worried.”
On January 30, she tested positive for Covid 19 — India’s first confirmed case. While recalling her ordeal, she mentioned to TOI,
“I was filled with fear. If I had the virus, my family members could be infected too. My umma (mother) was brought near my room and I heard her cry inconsolably,”
By evening that day, the health officials visited her and took details of all those who came in contact with her. They were all contacted and tested. Only the Alapuzha youth who had traveled with her tested positive too. That was the second case.
Rather than indulging herself in negative thoughts, this courageous woman stayed positive, which turned out to be key to the healing process.
“I spent most of my days in the isolation ward praying, talking to family and friends on mobile, reading medical textbooks and pretty much about Corona.”
But along with her positive attitude, it was her mother’s support that kept her moving. She shared how her mother also moved into an adjacent room at the hospital to keep her daughter motivated.
Despite her resolve to stay upbeat, the uncertainty got to her. Around February 12, she had an emotional breakdown. She mentioned,
“But the health inspector and counselor kept me motivated.”
On February 19, she was discharged from the hospital, into home quarantine. That too ended on March 1 though she still avoids crowded places. Though her health recovered within a few days, there were some distressing moments.
Not only she and her family were targeted on social media but also their names and photographs were circulated. Even her father’s profession was also revealed, which upset her.
“I didn’t want my family to face any kind of stigma or isolation. I took up the matter with the health authorities and they promised that they will take care of it. They kept their word.”
Sharing what the battle against coronavirus has changed for her, is her faith in the power of prayer and sanitizers. What has changed the most is her increased level of inspiration to become a doctor and save lives.
Also Read: Sudha Murty Offers To Set Up Hospital For Coronavirus Patients
At IFORHER, we salute the determination and persistence of this 20-YO to not only fight against coronavirus but to ensure to save others from their battle against deadly diseases. In the times, when many are scared and fearful of this deadly disease, it is heartwarming how this 20-YO came forward to share her story.
Her story is an optimistic reminder for us that we can fight against this ugly disease with medical support, prayers, love, and most importantly – a positive attitude.
