Story By: William McGee, Sub-Editor:  Joana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash

This picture captures the moment an Italian nurse in full PPE lies on the bed to cuddle a distressed COVID-19-positive baby isolated in intensive care shortly before complicated surgery.

Seven-month old Matteo Maurizio was admitted to intensive care at the Salesi Maternity and Children’s Hospital in the Italian city of Ancona after testing positive for COVID-19.

Matteo’s mother had also tested positive for the virus. However, mum and son were separated as Matteo developed complications that necessitated his ICU admission on 3rd March.

Matteo’s infection caused him problems with his digestive system, and the photo was captured by the ward’s camera just before he was due to undergo bowel surgery.

While awaiting admission to the operating theatre, a nurse, in full protective gear lay down beside the youngster to cuddle and comfort him before the delicate operation.

Thankfully, the surgery went well, and Matteo has since been discharged from the hospital. His mum sent a letter to the hospital staff thanking them for taking good care of her son.

She described being reunited with Matteo as “a return to life after a nightmare that lasted days”. She also posted the photo to social media, where it melted netizens’ hearts and quickly went viral.

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