1-year-old Filipino boy dies of COVID-19 in Dubai, grieving mom reminds parents to protect kids

A grief-stricken mother who lost her 1-year-old son to COVID-19 is reminding parents to do what they can to protect their kids amid the pandemic.

According to Athena Imperial's report for "Unang Balita" on Wednesday, Roxy Sibug's only child Luther Ezekiel died just a few days after showing symptoms similar to a regular fever.

When his temperature climbed to 39°C, the Dubai-based parents immediately got Luther tested for COVID-19, especially since his father experienced a fever and headaches a week before.

Just as they feared, the results came back positive.

Luther showed signs of improvement after being given some medicine and vitamins at a clinic, but he eventually began to feel weak and had swollen eyes after two days.

The parents, however, were assured there was "nothing wrong."

"We brought him to a hospital, where he had a blood test. His temperature was taken, a urine sample was taken — they didn't see anything wrong. They told us: 'Mommy, your son is completely okay. There's nothing wrong with your baby, so you can go home'," Roxy said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Instead, Luther's began to get worse and was brought back to the hospital.

There, his parents were horrified to learn that their son's heart was already swollen due to COVID-19.

"Noong chineck 'yung heart niya, nalaman na namamaga 'yung heart niya dahil sa COVID-19," Roxy said, getting emotional.

[When they checked his heart, we learned his heart was swollen because of COVID-19.]

"Kahit na bawal ang ginagawa ko, kumukuha ako ng kumot, tapos ayaw nilang pakumutan ang anak ko," she added.

[I didn't care of it was prohibited but I got a blanket to put around him but they didn't want me to do that.]

"Walang damit 'yung anak ko puro, apparatus sabi ko, hindi! Nilalagay ko siya dito sa chest ko… kasi alam ko kailangan, gustong-gusto niyang matulog eh."

[My son didn't have any clothes on, it was all apparatus so I said, no. I put him on my chest because I knew he needed that. He wanted to sleep.]

After Luther got intubated, Roxy and her husband were sent home only to be notified a few hours later that their son's blood pressure was going down.

The doctors tried to revive Luther, but the little boy eventually expired.

"Imbes na kasama namin siya sa huling sandali niya dito sa mundo, hindi namin siya kasama," Roxy said.

"Nasa morgue siya, naninigas siya doon, nilalamig siya doon. Wala siyang kumot doon, wala kaming magawa," she added.

[Instead of being with him during his final moments, we weren't able to see him. He was already in the morgue. He didn't have a blanket. We couldn't do anything.] 

'It's torture'

Roxy and her husband could not even hold a proper wake for Luther, because she was also positive for COVID-19. They had to be isolated at home.

"Bawat pikit ng mata namin, siya nakikita namin," said the mother.

"Bawat galaw namin dito sa bahay ganon kami tino-torture na po, ganon kami tino-torture. Grabe 'yung pain, sobra 'yung pain... na nararamdaman namin."

[Every time we close our eyes, we see him. Every time we move at home, that is how we experience torture. We are feeling immense pain.]

With the pain and emptiness still fresh in her heart, Roxy called on parents not to take risks with COVID-19 and prioritize their children's safety amid the pandemic.

"Adults really need to — for the sake of your loved ones, your children, please take the utmost care," the mom said.

"Hindi pwedeng babale walaain niyo to kasi hindi siya joke eh, nangyari sa anak ko."

[You cannot brush this aside. This is not a joke. It happened to my son.]

Roxy also reminded those who show symptoms to get tested as soon as possible, not just for themselves but for the sake of their loved ones.

"If you're feeling any of the symptoms, even just a light fever, have yourself tested, please," Roxy said in Filipino.

"Gastosan niyo. Mas magandang gumastos na lang kayo sa magkanong halaga, kaysa sa mawala 'yung mga mahal niyo sa buhay."

[Spend for it. It's better to spend money instead of losing a loved one.]

— Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News