Coronavirus: Kerala man in isolation ward watches dad’s last rites through video call

Kerala man, who was in isolation ward when his dad passed away, tested negative for coronavirus. Lino Abel’s father passed away the same night he reported himself at the hospital when he began coughing and developed a throat irritation

Kochi: It was heart wrenching for 30-year-old Lino Abel to helplessly watch through the window of an isolation ward as the body of his father was being taken home for the final journey by an ambulance. 

Having rushed from Qatar, one among the coronavirus affected nations, on March 8, Lino Abel wanted to be with his father who had been hospitalised following a fall from his bed.

However, having travel history from a COVID-19-hit country and having a mild cough, he immediately reported himself to the health authorities and was admitted to the isolation ward of the medical college hospital in Kottayam. The condition of his father worsened after he suffered a stroke and he passed away on March 9.

Though Abel was in the same hospital, he could not see his father for one last time as he was in the isolation ward. As the ambulance carried his father’s body, he took one last glimpse from the window of his room. He saw the last rites of his father through video call.

Lino Abel, whose father died while he was in the isolation ward of Kottayam Medical College, has been tested negative for coronavirus. Lino’s brother Lijo put up a post on social media, saying, “The result is negative. Thanks for all the loving wishes.” 

Lino’s unfortunate experience was mentioned by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a press meet the following day. His story got shared widely and Lino’s brave decision won a lot of appreciation.

Despite the angst he had to go through, Lino had advised other Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to report themselves for the sake of their families and the people around them. “Isolation ward is not a concentration camp,” he added.