Newborn contracts coronavirus from mother as Islamabad hospital almost out of bed space

ISLAMABAD: A newborn baby contracted COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, from its mother and has been admitted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which has almost run out of bed space, Geo News reported Monday.

The seven-day-old baby has been put on oxygen bed, according to the focal person for coronavirus at the PIMS Hospital, Dr Ayesha.

The doctor explained that the baby contracted the coronavirus from its mother after birth. The newborn's mother is in a stable condition and, therefore, not admitted to the hospital, Dr Ayesha added.

According to the medic, the PIMS Hospital has almost reached full capacity to admit coronavirus patients. The facility currently has 123 COVID-19 patients on oxygen beds and 50 have been undergoing emergency treatment.

The coronavirus positivity rate in Islamabad has shot up alarmingly, with 43 children — from newborn to 10 years of age — reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.