MIAMI, United States 19 Apr (ANA) - A woman with Down syndrome was met with claps and waves as she left hospital after beating coronavirus. The patient, who wasn’t named, waved from behind her mask as she was wheeled out of Kendall Regional Medical Center in Miami. The woman’s mom, who also declined to give her name, spoke of her delight at the recovery, saying: ‘I thank God, Thanks to every person of care of this hospital. They did the best for my daughter. They did an excellent job. I am very, very proud of them.’ Video footage showed staff at the hospital clapping and cheering as the woman was wheeled through the corridors after testing negative for Covid-19 twice in 24 hours, indicating that she had overcome the virus. Her wheelchair was decorated with balloons, with the patient now back at home where she is continuing her recovery. While having Down syndrome does not specifically increase the risk posed by coronavirus, people who live with the condition are more likely to have underlying health conditions which may raise the risk of Covid-19 complications. The US National Institutes of Health said people with Down syndrome run a higher risk of blood disorders including anemia – low iron in the blood, and leukemia – cancer of the white blood cells. Last month, disability rights campaigners across the US asked for urgent clarification on some states suggestions that Covid-19 patients with Down syndrome could be denied a ventilator because of the condition.(ANA)

FA/ANA/19 April 2020-------