THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The four-month-old baby who was being treated for COVID-19 virus was born underweight and had heart problems, said Health Minister K K Shailaja. The baby identified as Naiha Fathima was also suffering from pneumonia.

The minister said we tried out best but couldn’t save the child. Sick children proximity to infected persons can easily contract the disease. The body will be buried according to the protocol. How the child got infected is being probed. Samples of the baby’s parents, both in quarantine, have been sent for coronavirus testing and the results are awaited. We cannot say the state is now COVID-19 free but has been able to reduce the death rate, the minister said.

The minister asked senior citizens to take special care. Those who came crossing Kottayam border brought COVID again. Everyone should remember that the borders are closed not to stop people but to prevent the illness. The state has requested centre not to include the death of the baby, a native of Mahe, in state’s list.

The minister said the patient in Pathanamthitta testing negative is a great relief for the state. Hope to get more rapid tests. The government is focused in buying it from wherever available and see the quality of it, said the minister.