SWFL baby recovers from COVID-19; telemedicine gives family comfort

Our new normal could also include more telemedicine. Doctors with TeleMed say they are checking in on patients over the phone, and this can protect patients and staff.

And we learned Friday a baby who tested positive for the coronavirus in Collier County has recovered. The baby’s family has been using telemedicine technology to stay in touch with his doctor.

Baby Aubrey’s mom told us meeting with the doctor online was very comforting. She says the doctor was able to examine the baby over video, saying he’s doing just fine.

“Today is day 15 and so we are considered recovered,” Aubrey’s mom told WINK News. “He’s acting his normal self, eating normal, just a normal 7-week-old baby.”

It was not a fun experience, but Aubrey was able to recover while surrounded by his family and survive COVID-19.

“You know, we had a rough two weeks with his virus,” the mom said.

Aubrey’s mom utilized telemedicine, and she says it can protect other people.

“We didn’t have to sit in a waiting room around other people that we could infect or that they could infect us,” Aubrey’s mom said.

Kirk St. Johnson, the founder of the go2flu program, says that’s why it’s so helpful.

“A doctor can pick up from talking to a patient the information they can get through the interaction we are doing now and can help them say, ‘You are in trouble or, on the other hand, I think you’re OK,'” St. Johnson said.

And you don’t even have to leave your living room to speak to a professional.

“Rather than running down to the ER or dialing 911, we give them the opportunity to basically what you’re doing right now with me,” St. Johnson said.

Doctors say, not only is this way of medicine our first line of defense from contracting the virus, but it is also very effective. Doctors are able to see up to five patients within an hour.

“We were here safe in our home yet we still have full access to a doctor, the way we would if we were to be in there physically,” Aubrey’s mom said. “It was very comforting.”