Birth in a Pandemic: COVID-19 Patient Welcomes Baby Girl as 398 Test Negative

An expectant woman who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) last evening successfully delivered her fourth child through caesarean section operation, the ministry of health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng has revealed.

"Good news coming out from Entebbe Grade B Hospital. One of the 48 #COVID19 patients who is undergoing treatment at Entebbe Grade B Hospital, delivered a baby girl through C Section. Mother and baby are doing well. Thank you to our stellar health workers. You are amazing," the Minister tweeted.

The operation was conducted by a team of experienced health workers led by a physician, an epidemiologist, and midwives.

Samples were drawn from the baby for testing at the Uganda Virus Research Institute to determine if she is negative or positive for COVID-19.

Last month researchers from the hospitals of Renmin and Zhonghan of Wuhan University noted that COVID-19 has multiple possible routes of transmission including from mother to baby while still in the womb.

The two research teams examined a total of 7 babies who all tested positive after birth, an indication that they could have been infected while in the uterus of their positive mothers.

Entebbe hospital director Dr Moses Muwanga commended the team for the successful operation adding that he urged the doctors prior to the operation to take up preventive and protective measures as required of everyone dealing with COVID-19 cases.

Dr Muwanga says the hospital has so far delivered five mothers though the previous four were COVID -19 suspects and had a normal delivery. By Saturday afternoon the hospital had 25 of the 48 confirmed cases of Coronavirus including the 11 from Watoto Children's choir.

With a capacity of 200 beds, the hospital is currently handling only COVID-19 cases and has now expanded the zone for the confirmed cases to two wings, with a total capacity of 41 beds.

Meanwhile, all the samples tested yesterday were negative, meaning the number of positive cases in Uganda remains at 48.

"Glory to God!! All 398 samples have tested negative for COVID-19 today. The total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases still stands at 48. Uganda, we can do this together. Stay home and stay safe. #STAYSAFEUG,"