Family video calls unconscious mother fighting COVID-19

A family video called their mother even though she was unconscious and intubated due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to Rida Reyes' report for "24 Oras," Nora Onia, 70, is currently confined in an Intensive Care Unit at a hospital in New York.

Thanks to her bedside nurse, her children were able to talk to her on the phone and motivate her to keep fighting for her life.

"Nakakalungkot na, nanay po namin 'yun eh, na hindi namin siya makasama. Hindi namin siya mayakap or mahawakan. Napakalayo niya. Even if malapit, hindi po puwede," said Ramon, Nora's youngest child.

Ramon is currently in the Philippines,  while his eldest sibling is working as a nurse in Kuwait. Their father is on self-quarantine at home.

Nora has been battling COVID-19 for 21 days. She couldn't answer when her children told her "I love you," but they observed that she looked better after their video call.

Ramon said their family is keeping the faith that their mother will pull through and looking forward to the day she leaves the hospital.

"Kailangan na pong umuwi ni Mama dito. Sabi ko naman sa kanila, matanda na kayo. So stop working and we have to start living and we are going to take care of you here," he said. --MGP, GMA News