37 post-partum mothers at GPHC test positive for COVID-19

By Shemar Alleyne

With over 3000 positive COVID-19 cases recorded in Guyana, a number of these patients have actually been pregnant women – who are, incidentally, at higher risk of getting the most severe form of the life-threatening virus.

This was revealed by Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Dr Lucio Pedro, during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times. Dr Lucio disclosed that of the 37 deliveries – 15 were done via C-section.
“We have two teams led by two consultants, so what I did for the COVID-19 positive mothers who need the Caesarean section – we have another theatre for COVID-19 mothers. So, all COVID-19 mothers who are positive will be placed in the other side of the building. My team has three designated doctors who are assigned to deal with these 37 cases,” Dr Lucio explained.
Dr Pedro explained that the hospital was unsuccessful in determining how these pregnant women had contracted the virus.
Initially, studies revealed that coronavirus-positive mothers generally have good upshots and do not transfer the virus to their babies. Other research has linked coronavirus-positive mothers to higher rates of premature births and maternal morbidity.
However, Dr Pedro confirmed that all has been going well for post-partum mothers in Guyana. He added that all swabs which were lifted from newborns for COVID-19 testing have returned negative.
“As far as I know, I am informed that none of our positive patients who delivered at the Georgetown Public Hospital has infected their babies, but there was one baby who was born at another hospital but was transferred here and was positive.”
Over 6000 deliveries take place every year at GPHC. As a result, Dr Pedro noted that measures to protect pregnant women are of paramount importance. He explained that once tested positive; mothers are then isolated from their newborns in a bid to reduce infection.
“Well, the COVID-19 patients are isolated from their babies, so as long as they are isolated from their babies, they cannot come in contact with the babies until they are free from COVID-19.”
He added that the hospital had constructed a makeshift labour room for positive COVID-19 mothers. This, he said, will separate the infected from those that are not infected with the deadly virus.
“We have put an isolation ward; that ward can only accommodate about five patients, but we used to put seven because we did not have anywhere to put them.”
He continued, “But since then, we have done some other arrangements, constructions, and we added another ward which we keep it as the transition ward. The transition ward is next to the isolation ward, so if you test positive, you will be delivered in isolation.”
In addition to the wards erected, the institution has moved the admission department to the Maternity Unit’s entrance.
Additionally, Dr Pedro relayed to this publication that all pregnant women coming from the hinterland regions are always suspected COVID-19 cases until proven otherwise.
“If they are negative, then they would usually go over to the general ward, but if positive, they go to isolation.”
The Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) had urged countries in the Americas, which Guyana is a part of, to step up efforts to ensure access to prenatal care services for pregnant women since studies that show that they can be severely affected by COVID-19.
But Dr Pedro said none out of the 37 COVID-19 positive mothers had shown any severe forms of the virus.
Only recently, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) had donated SIM cards and data to GPHC to help mothers connect with their newborns through technology.