Every year there seems to be something that threatens us: SARS, Ebola, and now Coronavirus. For the general public, these things are frightening enough, but for parents of a newborn, they can be really terrifying. However, when it comes to Coronavirus, the news is actually very positive. Let’s start with the facts in the UK. The last reported government update was on 17 February and it says that in the UK, “a total of 4,501 people have been tested, of which 4,492 were confirmed negative and 9 positives”. So to put that in perspective – despite testing nearly five thousand people for Coronavirus, only nine people have actually turned out to have it.

How is Coronavirus detected?

The main symptoms of coronavirus are the same as any other influenza: fever and a cough with shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. So that makes it very difficult to tell if what somebody has Coronavirus, which the World Health Organization has now renamed COVID-19 or the flu that goes around every winter. People in the UK are being tested if they have traveled from:

• Wuhan and Hubei Provinces in China
• Other parts of China
• Thailand
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Macau.

Current detection rates in the UK are very low, suggesting that the COVID-19 has not transmitted to the wider population and is contained within the group of people who have traveled from one of the risk areas, those who have had close contact with them, and primary healthcare workers who engaged with those people before the outbreak was declared.

How to avoid Coronavirus

The answer here is the same as for any other winter infection:

• Wash your hands frequently – for at least 20 seconds, using soap or gel
• Use antibacterial gel when out and about
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill – specifically don’t share food or towels with people who have flu-like symptoms
• If you are ill, catch coughs and sneezes in tissues and dispose of them, washing your hands afterward, and avoid contact with your newborn. Your maternity nurse can ensure you have quality time with your baby without risking transmission
• Until you are sure you don’t have Coronavirus, self-isolate
• If in doubt, call NHS 111 for help.

The evidence for Coronavirus and newborn infections

The good news is that a recent study suggests that young children are not being severely impacted by COVID-19. Only nine children were hospitalized in China between 8th December and 6th February, out of a total of 63,000 reported infections. And none of those nine, all aged between one and 11 months, had severe complications as a result. Every one of the children had an infected family member, suggesting that infection is not widespread but based on personal contact.

A further study from the Lancet found no evidence to suggest that mothers in their third trimester who have a cesarean can transmit the virus to their babies. Six mothers who had developed COVID-19 were part of the study, and their amniotic fluid, cord blood, and breast milk all tested negative for COVID-19, as did throat swabs from their babies. All in all, COVID-19, whilst still a threat, shouldn’t stop new parents enjoying their little one, or doing most of the things new parents do – a few simple precautions will keep everybody safe and happy. Robinah Holistic Sleep Coach is a platform where new mothers can find the best service of Private Maternity in London. Connect with me!