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Husband held Covid-19 infected wife ‘til her last breath’

Writer's picture: Leonora Lo-oyLeonora Lo-oy

With the restrictions of hospitals against contact of families to their Covid-19 ailing member, it has been one of the tragic and traumatic experience for many who have lost their loved ones with having to bid them farewell. But a Kalinga husband braved the curse of Covid-19 virus in order to stay with his Covid-19 infected wife till she lost her fight against the disease.


Fulfilling his wedding vow, Conrado Bagtang of Tinglayan Kalinga, also known as Agaton, shares his experience on social media about his and his wife’s battle, speaking to people persuading them that Covid-19 should not be feared especially by people without complications.


In his testimony, Agaton and wife, both senior citizens began their journey with the virus when his late wife tested positive on her Rapid Antigen Test at a private hospital in Dagupan, Tabuk City.


Since it is a private hospital, they were told that if his wife was to be admitted there, they have to pay bigger amount and because of limited resources, the two refused. They were supposed to be sent to Agbannawag Isolation Unit, however, Agaton said that they preferred to be quarantine at Tinglayan with better isolation units.


After coordination, the two were fetched by an ambulance and were brought to Tinglayan where they were quarantined in one room.


“Nu pay kasjay nga positive iti result iti rapid test ni baket, saan ko nga pinanpanunut nga agbuteng gapu ta isuna ket positive. Iti dajay nga rabii, binanbantayak agsipud ta saan unay nga nakaru iti uyek na,” he narrated.


The following day, his wife was referred to Kalinga District Hospital in Lubuagan because she needed medical attention. They were swabbed before they headed off to the said municipality. While they were quarantined there, his wife had difficulty breathing. However, this didn’t scare him.

“Maymaysa nga kwarto iti ayan mi. Binanbantayak, sinalsallabay ko, inar arakup ko. Saan ko nga kinabuteng nu maakaran nak iti Covid nga kunkunada agsipud ta nagpositive,” he said.


After days, they then received news that Agaton and his wife tested positive with the virus and with him being asymptomatic. Agaton continued to comfort his wife on those sleepless nights being unable to breathe normally.


Later, the wife’s situation worsened where she was referred to Kalinga Provincial Hospital in Bulanao Tabuk City. This time, Agaton who never left his wife’s side since day one was prohibited to go with her. He pleaded but was told that KPH would not allow him to join his wife.


“Tatta diay iti nangted iti dakkel nga dismaya kenni baket isunga sakbay nga irubwat da ta talaga nga saan da nga payagan siyak nga sumurot ta kunak sumurot tak doctor, uray anya iti mangyari kanyak, lakay ak metlang,” he said, noting that whatever may happen to them, then be it, he just can’t let his wife go.


“Saan ko met mabalin nga ipalubos nga itaray da ni baket ko nga kitkitaek laeng nga kastuy iti kasasaad na,” he added.


Listening to the news that she would have to go to KPH without Agaton, the wife just bowed her head in disappointment. Seeing her situation, Agaton held her like he used to do, and in each other’s arms, they prayed together.


“Ket diyay iti nangbigla nga nangpakapsut iti panunut na... Agyaman nak lang ta idi makitak nga madi a talaga, sinallabay ko, nag-inarakop kami ket kunak agkararag tan baket. Anya man iti pagayatan ni Apo Diyos, anya garud isu iti pagayatan na,” he recalled.


Afterwards, the wife gave up the ghost.


Following the protocol, they had to wrap the body with layers of plastic and was sealed before she was brought home to Tinglayan to be buried. Upon arrival to their house, the people freaked out and began running away in fear that they may catch the virus.


Sadly, in that moment, it was time for the husband and wife to go their separate ways. Agaton, since he was positive, was brought inside their house while his wife was immediately brought to the place where she was to be buried.


“ti Covid saan nga pagbutngan gayam,” - Agaton


From this experience, Agaton wants to tell the people not to be afraid of the virus most especially when they do not have any existing conditions such as his wife who had a pneumonia and hypertension.


“Ti kayat ko nga ipakaammu kadatayo nga kakailyan, kakabsat, ti Covid saan nga pagbutngan gayam. Nu awan la ketdi iti sabali a sakit mo a kas kenni baket nga adda pneumonia na, adda high blood na. Insardeng na gamin iti agtumar iti maintenance na iti high blood,” he said.


He pointed that if Covid-19 can really kill an individual, then he should have been buried with his wife since they were both positive with the virus.


“Iti pampaneknek kakabsat, siyak nga asawa na nga manu nga rabii nga inararakup ko, salla salabayek, agaasideg iti ngiwat mi ket adtuy ak nga mangmangngeg yu ita, agsasao ak tani Apo Diyos, isu iti makinkukwaiti biyag tayo nga tao. Nu kuna ni Apo Diyos nga alaen na iti biyag tayo, awan mabalin tayo,” he further said.


Agaton concluded his 18-minute testimony by reminding the people to comply with the minimum health standards.

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