Rise in pregnant COVID-19 patients

Since the beginning of the delta spike, there has been an all-time high in COVID cases amongst pregnant women.

Memorial Hospital has been one of many locations in Mississippi to see an increase. The CDC says that pregnancy increases the risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

One of the biggest concerns for these COVID patients has been respiratory distress which can make the mother extremely sick and cause premature birth.

Memorial Hospital has been giving COVID-19 tests to every person admitted into labor and delivery to know who has the virus and who does not.

Recently, the CDC began recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women. Dr. John Pappas said, “The virus will have an effect on the mother, which can cause a problem for the baby. I’ve not seen situations where COVID has caused problems with the baby, but I’ve seen a lot of maternal morbidity associated with COVID.”

Dr. Pappas also recommends that pregnant mothers take vitamin D supplements to fight illnesses like COVID.