Coronavirus has taken a toll?on the world - while many have lost their lives, thousands continue to be in quarantine, all over the world. In a heartbreaking incident, a man from Kerala had to witness his late father's body being taken away for his last rites, from the window of the hospital where he was quarantined.
According to a PTI report, Lino Abel returned from Qatar on March 8, to be with his father who was admitted to the hospital after he fell from his bed at home. Since Qatar is one of the COVID-19-hit countries and because the 30-year-old also had mild symptoms of cough, he reported himself to health authorities. He was admitted to the isolation ward of the medical college hospital in Kottayam.
Unfortunately, his father's condition worsened and he passed away after he suffered a stroke. Even though Abel was admitted in the same hospital, since he was in the isolation ward, he could not see his father for the last time. As his father's body was taken away and he saw him one last time through the window of his isolation ward. He witnessed his father's last rites through video call.
In a Facebook post, Abel wrote about his saddening experience. He wrote, "If I had not reported myself, I could've seen my dad for one last time. But I did not, because I decided not to spread the disease in case I was affected. The expats here please report to the health authorities. If you can spare a few days, you can spend rest of your time happily with your family."
He spoke about how important it is to report yourself to the health authorities, especially if you have travelled to a COVID-19 affected country. Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, also praised Abel's selflessness. He said, "It was an extremely sad situation. The youth travelled all the way to visit his father at hospital. Though he reached here, he was unable to meet his father. He showed exemplary courage and social commitment and responsibility by getting quarantined on his own."
Also, Abel's test results came later on March 14 and he tested negative for the Coronavirus. He will be returning home - which is in Thodupuzha - in Idukki district.?