Coronavirus: Six-month-old baby from Manchester beats COVID-19, parents overjoyed

Doctors held grave fears for this six-month old-baby when she contracted COVID-19, but she pulled through against all odds and has become a symbol of hope.

Already severely underweight and with other medical complications, doctors thought this six-month-old baby was done for when she contracted COVID-19.

But Erin Bates pulled through and has become a symbol of hope for others.

The baby from Manchester, England, beat the deadly COVID-19 yesterday and received a standing ovation from NHS staff, who were overjoyed.

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Erin’s mum has changed her profile picture to be that of Erin, to encourage others to stay home.

Erin’s father Wayne Bates said on Facebook yesterday: “Erin has beaten the virus. It hit her hard with a few ups and downs but we wanted people to know coronavirus doesn’t have to be a death sentence for people with pre-existing conditions.”

Erin has been in an ICU ward for the past four months, since November 29, when she was diagnosed with a slew of medical complications.

The little girl was born severely underweight and was soon found to have heart, lung and windpipe issues.

Erin Bates linked up to a CPAP machine in Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital as she fought coronavirus.

Little Erin Bates appears happy after shrugging off the deadly virus.

After undergoing months of surgery, little Erin tested positive for COVID-19 on April 10.

“We were told after several days we were going to loose (sic) her,” Erin’s mum Emma said on Facebook.

Hooked up to an oxygen machine at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, Ms Bates, 29, was beside herself.

Due to coronavirus rules, only one parent has been there with her in hospital, which has been Ms Bates.

Yesterday, however, Mr Bates was able to visit the hospital for the first time since the coronavirus diagnosis and hold his daughter in his arms.

Mr Bates was finally allowed to hold his daughter after she beat the novel coronavirus.

The parents said they are “relieved” and “proud” of their “miracle” baby.

“Our little girl has beat COVID-19,” Mrs Bates said on social media.

“We are so proud.

“Thank you to all the staff at Alder Hey you are truly amazing.”

The hospital put out their own social media post celebrating baby Erin’s fight against COVID-19.

“You may have heard about 6 month old Erin who is in Alder Hey after recently being diagnosed with COVID-19,” Alder Hey Hospital said in a statement.

“Erin was in an isolation room here for 14 days with mum Emma while being treated by our staff.

“Today, little Erin beat COVID-19 after testing negative and received a guard of honour by the treating team on our HDU (high dependency Unit) as she was moved out of isolation.

“She is still being treated for other conditions at Alder Hey, but is making good progress

Posted by Emma Bates on Friday, 24 April 2020

Posted by Emma Bates on Friday, 24 April 2020

However, the battle isn’t over.

“After our 2 weeks of isolation we then potentially may have to stay here many more months to get Erin bigger and stronger to see if she can breathe on her own without the help of the BIPAP/CPAP machine,” Ms Bates said.

A friend of the family also started a GoFundMe page to help pay them pay the bills.

“Just want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who has donated so far to our go funding page,” Mrs Bates said.

“Asking for help really was a hard thing for me and Wayne Bates to do and was totally out of our comfort zone.

“We have both worked all our lives and have never claimed a penny or asked for help.

Mr and Mrs Bates are relieved their daughter pulled through.

“As my maternity pay is finishing soon and with Erin still very poorly and potentially going to be in Alder Hey for a long period of time I cannot go back to work,” Mrs Bates went on.

“And unfortunately there isn’t much help from the government for people who work with poorly children in hospital so we are going to struggle.

“So thank you, all the donations means I can stay by Erin’s side and not have to worry about how we are going to survive.”

Erin’s first six months have been traumatic due to her illnesses, one of which required open heart surgery in December.

In January, she also suffered respiratory syncytial virus, which causes bronchiolitis and pneumonia in babies and can be fatal.

Further conditions affected her airways, including tracheomalacia and bronchomalacia. These disorders affect the windpipe and its branches into the lungs, and already required use of the oxygen machine.