This is how an elderly couple in Kerala beat coronavirus
At a time when hope remains bleak due to a coronavirus outbreak, the story of an elderly couple making a full recovery in Kerala made headlines. Thomas Abraham (93) and his wife Mariyamma (88) had both contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The disease is known to be particularly severe for the elderly, however, the couple has managed to survive. Here's how.
The elderly couple followed a healthy lifestyle
The couple's grandson, Rijo Moncy, told PTI that the secret to the couple's recovery is their healthy lifestyle. He said Thomas loves "Pazhankanji"—made from rice gruel, tapioca, and jackfruit—while Mariyamm loves to eat fish. Thomas ate Pazhankanji even in the isolation ward. Rijo said that Thomas is also a teetotaller and a non-smoker and had a "six-pack body" even without going to the gym.
Rijo credited Kerala's healthcare professionals for grandparents' recovery
Rijo—who works in Italy in the radiology field—told PTI that healthcare professionals in Kerala put in all efforts to save the elderly couple. The couple had "age-related complications" while battling COVID-19 and were treated by a team of seven doctors, 25 nurses and 40 medical staff at the Kottayam Medical College. The staff considered them family and took good care of them, Rijo said.
Elderly couple contracted COVID-19 from Rijo and his parents
Thomas and Mariyamma had contracted the disease from their son, daughter-in-law, and grandson who returned from Italy last month. The three have also recovered. Rijo's sister and brother-in-law, and his father's elder brother had also been infected by the virus.
Thomas lives in Ranni sub-division of Pathanamthitta
Thomas is a farmer from Pathanamthitta's Ranni sub-division. Rijo used to live with his grandparents while in school, however, he has since moved to Italy along with his parents. Rijo's sister and brother-in-law are both nurses who had returned from Italy eight months ago. He said his grandfather insisted they visit them soon and had hence returned to Kerala, fortunately avoiding the travel shutdown.
'If we were in Italy, we might not have survived'
Rijo told PTI, "We were planning to come to Kerala in August but advanced the journey as my grandfather insisted that we should visit him soon. However, now we feel that it was a blessing or else we would have been in Italy right now." Praising Kerala's healthcare system, Rijo added, "If we were in Italy, we might not have survived."
With over 13,000 fatalities, Italy records highest COVID-19 death toll
Italy is notably one of the worst-hit countries in the coronavirus pandemic. The European country has recorded 1.1 lakh positive cases of COVID-19, the second-highest after the United States, and a whopping 13,155 deaths—the highest death toll for any country.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 was first reported in China's Wuhan city in December 2019. The disease is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus attacks a host's respiratory system triggering symptoms such as fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it may cause pneumonia, multiple organ failure, or death. COVID-19 has spread to roughly 170 countries, killing over 48,000 and sickening 9.5 lakh.
