Durban’s Ahmed Al-Kadi (AAK) Hospital announced that a mother and her newborn baby who both tested positive for COVID-19 have been discharged and are now recovering. It is unconfirmed whether the baby is the first to be born COVID-positive in South Africa.
According to AAK chairperson Dr Ayob Moosa Bux, the woman – who was asymptomatic – tested positive upon arrival at the hospital. During an interview with SABC Newbreak, he added that it is the hospital’s protocol that all patients are tested for the coronavirus on arrival at the facility .
“Unfortunately, she tested positive on admission. We proceeded with all the guidelines and protocols as per the Department of Health. We proceeded with her C-section delivery and the baby was delivered. The baby also tested positive,” he said.
Both the ward and theatre have been deep cleaned and sanitised since the mother was released.
“Mothers who are to deliver their babies can take comfort in the fact that they will be screened before admittance. Their results will be made available to the doctors so they are treated and will not pose a risk to other patients who may be Covid-19 negative,” Bux said.
“There are lots of steps being taken to safeguard patients. At the main entrance, there is a screening tent so they are screened before entering. We are also looking at installing a walk-through decontamination system for people before they enter. We also ensure that people wear a mask when entering the hospital.”
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