COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates

COVID-19 testing will be included in your care plan when you give birth at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (CHA HPMC). Some expectant mothers can be carriers of the virus without any symptoms. Reliable testing is now more readily available, and the test result is valuable for planning for the health and safety of all mothers and newborn babies. If you are scheduled for an induction or a c-section, your healthcare provider will instruct you to have the test performed three days prior to your procedure. The test location is in the Emergency Department (ED) tent and the hours of testing are 07:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

What are the known and potential risks and benefits of the test?

Potential risks include:

• Discomfort during sample collection.

• False negative test result.

Potential benefits include:

• The results, along with other information, can help your healthcare provider make informed recommendations about care for you and your baby.

• The results of this test may help limit the spread of COVID-19 to your family and others in your community.

What happens if my test results are negative?

You will receive routine obstetrical care, with special precautions.

What happens during labor and delivery if I test positive for COVID-19?

If your test results are positive, your provider will discuss the plan of care for you and your baby. Staff will take extra precautions to maintain safety of you and your baby to prevent any potential exposure.

There is little evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can be transmitted from mom to baby during pregnancy or delivery. However, a few reports exist of newborns—as young as a few days old—that have contracted COVID-19, suggesting that mother-to-baby transmission of the disease can occur through close contact after delivery (for example, through respiratory droplets).

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends temporary separation of mother and newborn to minimize the risk of postnatal infant infection from maternal respiratory secretions. The decision about how to care for you and your baby will be based on whether you are sick or have symptoms, as well as any other risk factors that may affect your baby. Your baby’s doctor will discuss the recommended plan of care based on all of these factors.

What if I decline the COVID-19 test?

After a discussion about the risks and benefits of your choice with your doctor, your decision will be respected. Your healthcare team will take extra precautions to protect themselves from the potential risk while caring for you and your baby. This may include separation from your baby after birth.

Will my support person be tested?

No. He or she will be screened upon entering the hospital according to symptoms and temperature, as well as instructed to wear a mask at all times in the hospital.

Can I breastfeed if I have COVID-19?

The evidence to date is that the virus is not passed on through breast milk. Breast milk gives babies protection against many illnesses. It also is the best source of nutrition for most babies. You may be able to breastfeed with a mask or pump your milk and give it to your baby.

If you are COVID-19 positive and choose to breastfeed:

• Wear a facemask and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60% to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.

If you are COVID-19 positive and choose to express breast milk:

• Express breast milk to establish and maintain milk supply.

• Use a dedicated breast pump.

• Wash hands before touching any pump or bottle parts and before expressing breast milk.

• Follow recommendations for proper pump cleaning after each use, cleaning all parts that come into contact with breast milk.

• If possible, consider having someone who is not infected feed your expressed breast milk to the infant.

How can I avoid passing COVID-19 to my baby?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been diagnosed, you can take the following steps to avoid passing the virus to your baby:

• Before touching your baby, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60% to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.

• Maintain at least six feet of separation between you and your newborn.

• Using a curtain/screen between you and your newborn.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the name of the disease that is caused by the novel Coronavirus that originated in China in 2019. Our Infectious Disease experts explain COVID-19 and share preventative measures.

How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19?

• Social Distancing is a key to limit the spread of COVID-19. Learn more about the concept and how you can practice it to avoid catching the virus.

  Learn more about Social Distancing

• Hand hygiene is the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 and avoid spreading germs. Learn how to practice good hand hygiene.

  Learn how to practice good hand hygiene

What are the typical symptoms of COVID-19?

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 are fever and mild to severe lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain). Disease onset is believed to be between 2 to 14 days after exposure.

How does the virus spread?

This virus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The first infections were linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now spreading from person-to-person. The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community. As with other coronaviruses, it is likely that COVID-19 transmission can occur through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes.

Who is at risk for COVID-19?

Currently, those at greatest risk of infection are persons who have had prolonged, unprotected close contact with a patient with symptomatic, confirmed COVID-19 and those who live in or have recently been to areas with sustained transmission. Those at risk for severe illness, include older adults, young children, and those with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems.

Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?

At this time there is no vaccine available to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

How can you prevent COVID-19?

Hand hygiene (washing your hands with soap and water and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers) has shown to be very effective in reducing the risk of transmission.  As COVID-19 continues to spread among communities in the United States, governments around the world and health experts recommend ‘social distancing’ to limit the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 Surge Operations and Crisis Care