Story By: Alex Cope, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash

These cute images show the babies in a Brazilian intensive care unit which have been dressed up as Easter bunnies by nurses amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) at the Edson Ramalho Military Police Hospital of Paraiba in the city of Joao Pessoa in the northeastern Brazilian state of Paraiba were dressed up as part of humanising the stay of the tots’ families on the ward.

The hospital’s press office said they have been dressing up babies in the neonatal ICU since October 2019, first as superheroes, then as Christmas figures and now as Easter bunnies.

In the photos, the sleeping babies can be seen with bunny ears on their heads and tiny tails as they lie in their incubators. One of the tots has even been given a fake carrot which it holds in its hand as it sleeps.

The costumes were made of felt, which can be sterilised, and donated by the ward’s physiotherapist Karina Rocha.

Local media report that as well as providing the costumes for the babies the unit’s workers also gave chocolates as presents to the babies’ parents.

The hospital wrote on social media: “In times of anguish and fear, when families cannot be assured of a future of joy, it is possible to do your best and build the best possible memories in the present. Happy Easter to all of you!”

Reports state there are currently eight babies in the ICU but it is unclear whether any are suffering from COVID-19.

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