2-Month-Old Girl Infected with Novel Coronavirus Discharged from Hospital

GUANGZHOU, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) — A 2-month-old girl diagnosed with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was discharged from hospital on Monday afternoon after recovery in south China's Guangdong Province.

The baby and her family from Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic outbreak, arrived at the city of Chaozhou by car to visit their relatives on Jan. 25. After quarantining themselves in a hotel, the family, including the baby's elder brother and grandmother, developed symptoms one by one and were all confirmed to be infected with the novel coronavirus.

The little girl, who developed a hoarse voice on Feb. 3, tested positive the next day and was transferred from a local hospital to the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center.

She was later diagnosed with pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, according to the center.

After 13 days of treatment, she tested negative twice for the novel coronavirus and was discharged from the center.

As her family members are still receiving treatment or under quarantine, she has been sent to a welfare home in Chaozhou City before a second examination scheduled in 14 days at the center.

The baby was the youngest person diagnosed with COVID-19 to be cured in Guangdong Province.

To take care of the baby around the clock, the center sent four additional nurses to the isolation ward as her "nanny moms," said Sun Jing, head nurse of the center's isolation ward.

Peng Fenxia was one of her "moms."

Peng, also a mother, liked chatting with the baby, even though the "conversation" was carried out all by herself. She also prepared a rattle for the little girl.

"Although simple actions like holding the baby needed extra strength while wearing the protective gear, I felt very soothed seeing her smile," she said.

Peng recalled the baby had become used to having the nurses in white protective suits around after days of treatment.

"She would smile at us when seeing us. She liked eye contact and also liked us holding her when she cried," Peng said.

Inside the baby's swaddling clothes, Peng found a note saying, "The baby is my life. If you save her, you'll be my lifesaver."

The nurses kept the note as a commitment to the mother they had never met.

"I'm delighted that we have kept our commitment," Peng said.

(Source: Xinhua)