SINGAPORE (TABLA!) - It is now clear that Covid-19 can infect anybody - even a man who did not smoke, drink alcohol or have any health problems.

Mr K. Ramaswami, a track and field athlete in his younger days, was active even at the age of 82. He would walk daily and work - up to 12 hours on weekdays - at Ramakohila convenience store, which he owned with his wife Solosana, 73, at Singapore Shopping Centre in Clemenceau Avenue.

But his routine suddenly changed on April 5 when he developed a fever. He felt tired and unwell, and consulted a doctor who prescribed medicine.

The fever, however, did not subside even after two days. When his temperature reached 39.6 deg C, his worried wife took him to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

"He didn't have other symptoms like cold or sore throat," said Mrs Solosana. "But his body was boiling hot."

On April 7, Mr Ramaswami was tested for Covid-19. When it was confirmed the next day that he had the coronavirus, he was moved to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).

Over the next few days, his condition worsened, and he was transferred to the intensive care unit. Soon after, he could not even muster the energy to speak to his family on the phone.

His son, Mr K.R. Chandramohan, 53, said: "My father told me, 'I could die, it's very difficult, I can't take it.'"

On April 27, Mr Ramaswami died from complications due to Covid-19.

"He was not a sickly person. He just had leg pains because of old age," said Mrs Solosana.

"We never visited hospitals much as he did not have any medical problems. When he got the fever, it never occurred to me that he could have caught the virus. Even when it was confirmed, I thought it would pass."

Mr Chandramohan said they were constantly motivating his father when he was at NCID.
"We were telling him to stay strong and that he would recover soon. The doctors, nurses and counsellors provided excellent service. But despite the world-class treatment that my father received in his final days, he could not survive."

As Mr Ramaswami's daughter, Ms Kohilavani Lambourne, 50, lives in Perth, Australia, where coronavirus control measures are strict, she could not fly to Singapore for the funeral.

However, Singapore Casket arranged a live video streaming service. This provided some comfort to her. She had earlier seen her father via a video call from NCID.

The family was allowed to see Mr Ramaswami's face for the last time at NCID. "My father's body was placed in two bags and then in the coffin," said Mr Chandramohan.

"We dressed him in light-blue pants and a white shirt. He liked light-coloured clothing."

The hearse, on the way to Mandai Crematorium, stopped at Mr Ramaswami's shop, which he had owned for 39 years.

Since Mr Ramaswami had lived in a flat at Kallang Bahru with his wife, Mrs Solosana had to observe a 14-day quarantine at home until April 21.

"During my quarantine period, my children hid many things from me because they didn't want me to worry," said Mrs Solosana.

"But I kept thinking about my husband. It was a very trying period."

Mr Chandramohan said: "It was a blessing that my father held on to his life for that long. If he had passed on while my mother was in quarantine, it would have been very difficult to involve her in the last rites."

In accordance with the National Environment Agency's guidelines limiting the number of people at funerals to 10 or fewer, only nine people took part in the final rites at Mandai Crematorium.

"We couldn't observe Hindu traditions such as offering rice and bathing the body for safety reasons," said Mr Chandramohan.

"It was sad, but only close family and friends could be involved. I could only send the link to the livestream to others.

"We plan to do a proper memorial involving everyone who knew my dad once the situation allows for it."

Mr Chandramohan added that his father was a man of discipline and hard work, and that he also emphasised good behaviour, humility, and respect for others.

"Even on Deepavali, he works. For my dad, work was life. My sister and I have a strong academic background and high-level positions at work today because my father constantly advised us on the importance of education," said Mr Chandramohan.

"He would always tell us to study hard. He was our role model for an orderly life... He was a good father."

- This article first appeared in Tamil Murasu and tabla!