Enduring quarantine is stressful for anyone, but imagine the concerns of a lady just days from giving birth, while locked down in home isolation in the COVID hotspot that was the area around Lukou Airport. Spoiler; there is a happy ending.
Airport employee, Mr. Tao, had been locked down in Lukou Subdistrict’s Longpan Huayuan Residential Community since 23 July. He lived together with his partner, a Ms. Li, who was 39 weeks pregnant. On 3 August, Tao reported that Li’s next pre-natal examination was due.
But being under lock down, how could they travel to the necessary hospital?
Li’s pregnancy had been filed in Gulou Hospital. After obtaining the hospital’s consent, Li’s subdistrict’s epidemic headquarters arranged for a special disease-control bus to pick her up for the required check up.
With a due date of 10 August, an imminent birth was a distinct possibility. Li and Tao were were very nervous and worried at the prospect, reports Nanjing Daily.
They needn’t have been. For CDC had arranged for the bus to remain in place outside Li and Tao’s home. An obstetrician and gynecologist were also on standby from nearby Qinhong Community Hospital to accompany them when the time came.
And it did at about 07:00 on 11 August. According to regulations, Li needed to be accompanied by a family member to the hospital. Once there, she elected birth by cesarean.
But that was not to be for 4 more days, after which Li gave birth safely and smoothly. Upon discharge, the bus was waiting for the newly-enlarged family to return them to their residential community.
At present, the couple remain isolated at home taking care of their newborn baby.
