Despite initial reports of the coronavirus infection being kinder to younger age groups, the world is currently seeing an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, including fatalities, in teens and children.
In a Facebook video that went viral which has so far garnered 2.6 million views, a 13-year-old boy in Malaysia, Nuha Syazwan Sakiban is seen wiping tears away while gathering a few of his belongings, to commence treatment after testing positive for contracting COVID-19.
Coronavirus infection in Children, Teens: 13-year-old infected with COVID-19
The heart-wrenching video uploaded by the teen’s older cousin, shows the teen in a mask carrying a bag and a bucket with his belongings and being escorted to the waiting ambulance by his family.
In the video, the teen’s father can be heard urging his son to stay strong and fight the infection.
“You can do it, Wan,” he says as he waves to the boy as the ambulance drives away.
Another relative can also be heard telling the boy to: “Take care, Wan. We will video call you.”
Malaysian teen leaving to the hospital in the ambulance alone, after testing positive for COVID-19. Photo: Facebook screengrab of video
Speaking to media afterwards, the teen’s father reported to being “heartbroken” to see his youngest child being taken away from their house in Kluang, Johor, but that he had “accepted his son’s fate.”
Sakiban detailed that the unexpected diagnosis had been made when health officers had visited his home on March 24, while conducting routine medical checks for the coronavirus infection in his neighbourhood.
Upon being asked if anyone in the family had recently experienced symptoms of COVID-19, Sakiban alerted the officials that Syazwan had recently developed a cough.
The teen had reportedly not presented any other COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever or difficulty breathing.
Syazwan was then taken to a clinic to get tested and on March 28, it was proclaimed that he had positive tested for the coronavirus infection.
The teen had attended events at the nearby mosque on March 6 for Friday prayers, and again on March 14 for a religious gathering.
In a further Facebook post, the teen’s cousin who uploaded the video notes that he is recovering well, although he had complained of a headache.
“There are still many who asked me about my cousin Nuha Syazwan and I thank everyone for the words of spirit and prayers to him… yesterday he was complaining to his family that he had a headache and the hospital has given the medicine,” he stated.
The boy is hospitalised and is receiving treatment. Photo: Facebook screengrab.
Coronavirus infection in Malaysia
Airport medical staff conduct checks on arrivals of passengers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: iStock
In a further Facebook post today (April 1), Hamid states that the family of the teen had been screened as well, and results were pending. He termed this affliction as “a test” to his extended family members and further urged everyone to pray for a negative result for his uncle’s family and that they are all found to be “healthy and strong”.
Hamid’s own family has also been tested, and results are not known as yet.
Currently, the number of cases of coronavirus infection in Malaysia has reached a staggering 2,766 with 43 reported fatalities.
Here at home, the total number of cases has surpassed the 900 mark after 47 more cases were confirmed on 31 March. Three have died due to complications from COVID-19 in Singapore.
Here’s the full video:
