Newborn discharged from hospital after COVID-19 scare

A newborn who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been discharged from the hospital, according to a 24 Oras report by Cedric Castillo on Wednesday.

Kobe Manjares was only 5 days old when he was rushed to the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City.

His father, Ronnel, said his wife initially refused to give birth in a hospital as they were afraid that the baby might contract the disease.

So it was in their house in Muntinlupa City that Kobe was born on April 12.

“‘Di po tumatanggap ang hospital dito sa Muntinlupa ng manganganak kasi po baka raw po mahawaan ng COVID kaya po hinintay na lang namin ‘yong misis kong manganak tapos tumawag na lang kami ng kumadrona,” Ronnel said.

However, five days after Kobe was born, the baby was admitted to the hospital due to constipation and fever. The infant eventually tested positive for COVID-19.

“Sobrang natakot (ako). Hindi ko na alam kung ano gagawin ko. Umiiyak po ako sa harap niya, binubulungan ko po siya na tibayan niya, lakasan niya ang loob niya,” Ronnel said.

After 11 days, Kobe had won his battle over the deadly disease and was discharged on Tuesday evening.

Kobe was then brought to the Ospital ng Muntinlupa to undergo a 14-day quarantine as part of the Department of Health’s protocol and they waited for other test results.

It was not mentioned, however, how the baby got infected with the virus. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP/NB, GMA News