A newborn baby in London has become the youngest person in the world to test positive for the coronavirus, according to reports.
The Sun newspaper say that the baby’s mother was rushed to hospital a few days ago with pneumonia. There, they were both diagnosed with COVID-19, the virus that has swept across the globe in recent weeks.
The mother, who had given birth without knowing she was infected, was tested at North Middlesex Hospital in Enfield, London. The baby, meanwhile, was tested minutes after being born. She is still currently receiving treatment.
Reports state the mom has been transferred to a specialist infections hospital. Staff who came into contact with mother and baby have been told to self-isolate.
Thus far, it’s unknown whether the baby contracted coronavirus in the womb or during labor.
Confirming the news in a statement, North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust said: “Two patients at North Middlesex University hospital have tested positive for coronavirus. One has been transferred to a specialist centre and one is being treated in an isolation room.
“The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority, so in following guidance from Public Health England, we are regularly deep cleaning the areas where the patients are cared for and staff who were in close contact with these patients were advised to self-isolate.”
As per Business Insider, leaked documents have shown that the U.S. is preparing for a major outbreak of the virus. Figures speculate that as many as 96 million people could be infected and up to 480,000 may die.
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Let’s send our love and prayers where they’re needed.
