Braveheart Kerala nurse who recovered from COVID-19 keen on resuming duty in isolation ward

"I will leave this room within a week after defeating you," braveheart nurse h vowed after contracting dely coronavirus while attending to India's oldest COVID-19 survior, expressing unflinching faith in Kerala's health care system.

Last Friday, 32-year old Reshma Mohandas lived up to her promise and walked out holding her he high to her home, where she is w placed under 14-day quarantine, after she and  elderly man and his were discharged from Medical College Hospital here on being cured of disease.

Soon after 93-year-old Thomas Abraham, whose recovery has been dubbed as a 'miracle cure' by medical community, and 88-year old Mariyamma left hospital, Reshma too heed home but with resolve to come back and serve patients after mandatory two weeks quarantine.

"I will leave this room within a week after defeating you (coronavirus)", Reshma h posted in a WhatsApp group of her friends and colleagues while undergoing treatment in isolation at hospital. "I posted that mess in WhatsApp group because I have full faith in Kerala's health system. It is world class," Reshma told PTI from her home.

nurse, who took care Thomas and Mariyamma since March 12, believes she contracted disease as she was in close contact with and often talked to couple, who did t wear masks as it me m uncomfortable. She said she loved taking care of all ir needs.

"I was t tensed at all. I love taking care of elderly people. We used to talk a lot (in ICU)", she said. Reshma, who was earlier working in operating atre of ar section, said she used work for four hours in  ICU before she contracted virus and was mitted to  same wing as a patient.

"I h close contact with m in ICU because I paid attention to dress ir every needs," she said.  first warning sign came on March 23 morning when she h a throat infection. Reshma immediately alerted he nurse, who in turn informed doctors. She was asked to visit fever clinic at Medical College and was later referred to isolation facility where she took care of elderly vel coronavirus patients.

Some 20 nurses who h come into contact with her were sent to home quarantine. On March 24, she tested positive. "I did t have any or complications, barring heache and body pain", she said. Reshma said she was rey to serve in isolation facility for COVID-19 patients after 14 days of mandatory home quarantine.

"I am rey to work again in isolation facility when I return," feisty nurse, whose husband is an engineer, said. She was all more happy that proper medical care at  hospital led to recovery of Abraham and Mariyamma. Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja telephoned Reshma to express her happiness over her recovery.  Minister said news about a health professional contracting coronavirus was a matter of concern for  state.

In a statement, she hailed Reshma's dedication as a professional and said she h treated elderly patients like her parents, attending to ir every need.  elderly couple, hailing from Ranni vill in Pathanamthitta district h contracted virus from ir son, daughter-in-law and grandson who returned from Italy last month, all of whom have also recovered.