A 40-day-old baby died in East Java, Indonesia on Sunday (21 June) after getting infected with COVID-19, which is believed the newborn has contracted from neighbours who visited him some weeks ago.
Newborn Baby Dies Of COVID-19
The newborn tested positive for the virus when he was just 28 days old.
According to Pamekasan regency COVID-19 taskforce chief Syaiful Hidayat, the baby’s parents brought him to Smart Pamekasan Regional General Hospital on 9 June” where he was immediately isolated. He, later on, tested positive for the virus.
Newborn baby dies of COVID-19 said to have been contracted from house visitors | Image source: iStock
The baby died Smart Pamekasan General Regional Hospital after nearly two weeks of battle against COVID-19.
Meanwhile, taskforce spokesperson Sigit Priyono said the baby was to rest on Tuesday (23 June) in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.
COVID-19 Contracted From Neighbours
Contact tracing revealed that “the baby contracted COVID-19 from neighbours who visited him soon after he was born.”
The taskforce said many visitors, said to be the newborn’s neighbours, had held the baby.
The baby then showed COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, coughing and shortness of breathing, soon after the visits.
As to why those positive of the virus were able to come close to the baby, Sigit said “there were a number of patients under surveillance (PDP) and people who had tested positive [for the virus] who continued their daily activities and did not self-isolate in Tlanakan district.”
According to the Jakarta Post, “PDP is a designation for people who have symptoms consistent with Covid-19 but whose illness has not been confirmed, meaning they awaiting either testing or test results.”
Sobering Reminder To Not Visit Newborns When Sick Or Feeling Unwell
Time and again, we have been reminded to take necessary precautions when visiting newborns. From overstaying and coming at wrong times that may inconvenience parents, to not kissing newborns or even visiting them when you’re sick or feeling unwell, we have all been told of the dos and don’ts.
Newborn Baby Dies Of COVID-19: A sobering reminder to not visit newborns when sick or feeling unwell. | Image source: iStock
Leaving traces of viruses and infection behind can potentially harm their fragile newborn—it can cause them to feel unwell or get serious illnesses, and line in the unfortunate case of this baby, even death.
As Singapore begins reopening in Phase 2, where social gatherings and house visits will be allowed, may parents be reminded to put safety measures in place to ensure their babies are protected. While a new baby is always a reason for celebration, let us remind ourselves that the virus is still out there and it is up to us adults to keep the little ones safe.