My COVID Story: I couldn’t even see my father’s body due to COVID protocols

Meenu’s father caught COVID and passed away within 10 days of hospitalisation. Due to COVID protocols, she couldn't even see her father’s dead body and she still feels like he is away on one of his tours and will come back...




Everything was fine until one day my dad started feeling cold-like symptoms. As usual, we thought it’s normal cold. But day by day it started worsening. My dad never stayed in a hospital. He is a very hardworking man. And he never wants to go to the hospital and get tested. Somehow because of our (me and my brother) continuous pressure, sitting in the far (workplace) we sent him for a COVID test in an ambulance. And finally, the result came out positive. Since there was a restriction for interstate travel, my dad convinced the doctor that he will stay at home quarantine because he can't leave my mother at home alone as she is schizophrenic. But day by day COVID got worse and somehow sitting in the far distance we somehow managed and got him admitted. By that time, he had already developed Covid pneumonia and was put on the ventilator. He was ok for 2 days. But then day by day his condition became very critical. We did whatever possible - Plasma therapy, proning, medication, everything. We even thought of shifting him to a private hospital. But we couldn’t because the per day charge for the private hospital was Rs.1 lakh.

My COVID story: " I had to shift my hospital twice"


Every passing day we were told by the day that his chances of survival were getting bleak.My mom was worried about my dad but I would lie every single time. After 10 days of hospitalization, he passed away. In the name of Covid protocol, I couldn't even see him.

My COVID story: "We knew we wouldn't get hospital admission without a COVID report"


My brother completed the procedures, collected his burned ashes, and came home. As far as my family is concerned, he is on a journey because we didn’t even see his dead body, like he went for a tour without telling us. Hope he will come and see my marriage. After all, this is the first time after my father died, the boy's family agreed to my interreligious interstate love marriage ( after 10 years of waiting for my love).


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DISCLAIMERThe views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for a physician's advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details.