A six-month-old baby has officially beaten COVID-19 after she was diagnosed with the deadly disease earlier this month, Manchester Evening News reported.
Erin Bates of Bury, Greater Manchester, had already been in the hospital with a heart condition and lung problems when she was struck with the novel coronavirus, but her parents say their “miracle” baby has successfully managed to fight off COVID-19.
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Little Erin was born in October 2019 after her parents, Emma and Wayne, spent 10 years trying to get pregnant.
However, less than a month later, their joy turned to sadness when doctors discovered their baby girl has a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot.
In December, Erin underwent open-heart surgery. While in recovery, the tot’s lungs collapsed as a result of Broncomalacia and Trachemalacio, a condition which involves a narrowing of the airways.
To say Erin’s first year of life has been a difficult one would be a tremendous understatement.
Things quickly went from bad to worse on April 10 when Erin became unwell and tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Her mom, 29-year-old Emma Bates, told BBC she was “heartbroken” to learn of Erin’s diagnosis.
Her husband, who self-isolated at home while Emma stayed with Erin, added that he was furious to see people blatantly disregarding the UK’s social distancing measures.
“People are still not taking this outbreak seriously and that upsets me, “he said . “I take it personally.”
Heartbreaking photos of little Erin hooked up to an oxygen machine in the hospital were shared to her Facebook page, “Erin’s Journey,” to encourage others to social distance.
Now, after two weeks spent battling the deadly disease in the hospital in isolation, her parents have happily reported that Erin was able to successfully fight off the coronavirus.
“Erin has beaten the virus,” Wayne shared in an update on Facebook . “It hit her hard with a few ups and downs but we wanted people to know coronavirus doesn’t have to be a death sentence for people with pre-existing conditions.”
He added, “She is all smiles and talking to herself.”
Staff at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool shared the incredible news with a touching video on Twitter.
In the clip, doctors and nurses can be seen tearfully clapping and cheering for Erin while her hospital bed is moved out of isolation.
Since posting, the video has been viewed more than 36,000 times and has hundreds of comments from users who were moved by the emotional footage.
The hospital later posted an update regarding Erin’s condition, and shared a message from her mom, Emma.
“Thank you so much to each and every [member of staff], we couldn’t have got it through without them,” Emma said, as per the tweet. “They are all truly amazing and we will be forever grateful.”
Although she’s been officially let out of isolation, Erin will remain at the hospital as she continues treatment for her other conditions. But, the tweet adds, she is “making good progress.”
If you want to help the Bates’ family remain financially afloat while the Erin continues her hospital stay, you can donate to their GoFundMe page here .
h/t: Manchester Evening News , BBC , Facebook | Erin’s Journey , GoFundMe
