A couple of twins born at an Indian hospital amid the virus lockdown have been named Covid and Corona by their parents.
According to leading Indian news outlet NDTV, the newborns opened their eyes in the early hours of 27th March at the Dr. BR Ambedkar Memorial Hospital.
Speaking to the Press Trust of India, Vinay and Preeti Verma said they chose the names Covid and Corona to give a message of triumph in this hard time.
Preeti Verma, from Puranti Basi, Chhattisgarh, said: “The delivery happened after facing several difficulties and therefore my husband and I wanted to make the day memorable.
“Indeed the virus is dangerous and life-threatening but its outbreak made people focus on sanitation, hygiene and inculcate other good habits. Thus, we thought about these names.”
Verma said they decided to go for these names after the staff at the hospital started calling her daughter Covid and her son Corona.
The couple, who also has a 2-year-old daughter, struggled to make it to the hospital in time owing to the lockdown in India.
The mother said: “I suddenly experienced severe labor pain and somehow my husband arranged an ambulance operated under 102 Mahtari Express service.
“As no vehicular movement was allowed on roads due to the lockdown, we were stopped by police at various places but they let us go after noticing my condition.
“I was wondering what would happen in the hospital as it was midnight, but fortunately doctors and other staff were very cooperative.
“Our relatives who wanted to reach the hospital, could not make it as bus and train services were stopped due to the lockdown.”
The mother, as well as the babies, has been discharged after Verma underwent a cesarean section following some complications.
The parents said they might consider renaming their children in the future.
As of now, there are more than 2,300 people who tested positive for Covid-19 in India, with 56 deaths around the country.
The Indian government has imposed a 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.
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