Four-month-old Coronavirus positive girl dies in Kerala

The infant was admitted to the medical college hospital in a critical condition with severe pneumonia on Tuesday last.

A press communique issued by the medical college authorities here today said the female infant had a history of perinatal asphyxia and was under follow-up for global development delay, Congenial Heart Disease and anterior chest wall deformity.

Despite all possible medical aid, the baby remained sick, the communique, signed jointly by the Hospital Superintendent Dr C Sreekumar, Dr Ashraf, Nodal Officer, Covid19, Dr Sindu T V, Assistant Nodal Officer and Dr Ajithkumar, HOD, department of Paediatrics, said.

“Though there was no high risk or low risk contact or any epidemiological link, as the child comes under Severe Acute Respiratory Infection, the infant was admitted in the Covid ICU and swab was taken and tested positive for Covid-19, the communique said.

On repeat questioning, a doubtful history of secondary contact which is being probed into. Despite all possible efforts, the baby continued to be in shock, developed cardiac arrest and expired at 6 a.m., the statement added.

The baby was admitted to a private hospital on April 18 after having some severe breathing issues. But as the baby’s condition worsened, she was shifted to another hospital and later to Kozhikode medical college hospital.

Dr Sakeena K, District Medical Officer (Health), Malappuram, said the child was having severe health issues from its birth itself which developed later and was admitted to a private hospital in Manjeri near here.

There is no clue yet as how the infant got infected with Covid-19 as neither the parents of the infant or any close relatives were tested positive for Covid-19.

The family of the infant girl hailed from Payyanad near Manjeri in Malappuram district.