A couple, who eats together, stays together. However, Ganga and B. Vaidyanathan took the adage to another level when they both tested positive for Covid-19. They not only contracted the disease together, but were admitted together and were discharged on the same day. The ordeal that lasted for around 10 days in hospital, has not only brought them closer, but also helped them realise how many people care for them.
“After getting discharged from hospital, our neighbours in the society took turns to provide us meals. Because of the immense fatigue associated with this disease both of us were not able to cook. Our neighbours fed us for almost two weeks, we have immense gratitude towards them,” says Ganga Vaidyanathan, who retired as Deputy Secretary from the Ministry of Power.
The senior couple lives in a residential colony in Mayur Vihar in Delhi. They still do not know how they contracted the virus. “We had visited a private hospital in South Delhi for my wife’s hernia operation in mid-May. She got discharged after two days (I was her attendant) and while on our way back we stopped at an eatery and got couple of things packed. A few days later, we went to the hospital to get the stitches removed and while on our way back, I started feeling very tired. My eyes were burning and by night I had high-grade fever,” says B Vaidyanathan, a corporate insurance broker. It was June 17 and the fever kept coming and going for the next three days, though there were no other Covid-related symptoms. “But on June 20th I got tested and a day later the report came, it was positive. On June 23rd, I got my wife tested and she too was Covid positive,” he adds.
The couple stays alone in Delhi and as their kids live in a different city. So they were advised to get admitted by family members. “My husband has co-morbidities. My sister, who is a doctor in Mumbai, advised us to get admitted because if matters got serious then there will be no one to take us to a hospital,” says 69-year-old Ganga. They could not drive to a hospital nor could they hire a cab. Their attempt at booking an ambulance from a private hospital failed. “When our reports had come, we got a call from the Delhi government-run helpline to dispel all our myths around Covid. They enquired about our medical and non-medical needs. They told us about the government-run ambulance services and we booked one. Within an hour, an ambulance arrived at our doorstep and took us to a nearby private hospital. They didn’t even charge a penny,” says Vaidyanathan.
The couple was admitted in Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital near their home. “Dr Gaurav Jain, who attended us, was very efficient. He put all my anxieties to rest as I was very worried for my husband as he has weak lungs and is also diabetic,” says Ganga. However, 66-year-old Vaidyanathan was on his way to recovery within a week and tested negative in July. He was transferred to a non-Covid ward, as he wanted to go back home with his wife. On July 4, Ganga too was tested negative and the couple was discharged from the hospital.
“We all have this fear against Covid. But it’s not as bad as it sounds; it’s more like a flu. But we were fortunate to have only mild symptoms and our immunity wasn’t compromised,” says Vaidyanathan. Ganga who is a Central Government Health Services (CGHS) beneficiary also got daily calls from the chief medical officer of her CGHS zone. “So many doctors from the government-run services called throughout to check on us. It was so comforting,” says Ganga.
Their neighbours on their return gave the couple who stays in Fine Home Apartments a warm reception. They took turns in providing them breakfast, lunch and dinner and even delivering milk and other essentials to their house. “No words can express the gratitude we have for everyone– starting with the ambulance staff to government doctors who called us daily, to doctors and staff at Dharamshila Hospital and to our neighbours. The fight against Covid was easy because of their support,” says Ganga.
The pre- and post-Covid world has changed for the couple. Vaidyanathan doesn’t get irritated with minor ailments anymore. Ganga realised how neighbours, friends and family can provide mental support just with a phone call. “We wanted to donate plasma but because of our age and condition we aren’t the ideal candidates. But if a need arises, the hospital has assured us they will reach out to us,” says Vaidyanathan.
Having come out stronger together of Covid, the couple could well counsel anyone who has fears around this virus. “The weakness stays for a very long time, even after 15 days, I feel weak. It seems endless. To overcome this, one should feel and believe strongly that you will come out of it surely,” concludes Ganga.