Hospital reports rise in pregnant Covid patients

A hospital has reported a "significant" increase in the number of pregnant women being treated for coronavirus.

New Cross Hospital, in Wolverhampton, said part of its maternity ward had been sectioned off for Covid patients. 

Nationally, the proportion of pregnant women in intensive care has almost doubled since the first wave.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said pregnant women were at no greater risk of being infected with Covid than the general public.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust's chief executive said the cause of the increase in the city was unclear.

"We're seeing a lot more pregnant women now suffering with Covid and some of them have been very, very ill," Prof David Loughton said at a regional coronavirus briefing on Friday."We have had some deaths," he continued, "so that is really sad".

An intensive care audit has shown the percentage of pregnant women aged 16-49 has almost doubled in the second wave compared to the first wave of the pandemic. Up until the end of August, 29 women in that age bracket who had been admitted with coronavirus were pregnant, compared to 103 from September to the end of January.

Recently, the intensive care unit treated two Covid-positive pregnant patients and almost 200 expectant mothers tested positive in the city during the past quarter.

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Source: BBC News, 2 February 2021