Pregnant women with COVID complications had a British variant, according to the Ministry of Health

by

At least three pregnant women recently hospitalized with coronavirus-related complications have contracted the British variant of the pathogen, the Health Ministry announced on Tuesday evening.

Corona Department Sheba Tel Hashomer HospitalCorona Department Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital

Healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer

(Photo: AFP)

At the request of the head of public health services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sharon Elrai-Price, several samples of the women were sent to the ministry’s central virology laboratory at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, where preliminary results from the DNA sequencing showed the presence of the mutation. .

Meanwhile, health care providers announced Tuesday evening that the national vaccination push against COVID-19 will soon be expanded to include pregnant women.

Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) reported that they received many inquiries during the last day from women wishing to be vaccinated, as reports were published of mothers expecting COVID to be hospitalized in serious condition.

The Ministry of Health issued a statement stressing that the vaccine poses no threat to pregnant women.

Waiting to get vaccinated at the Expo complex in Tel AvivWaiting to get vaccinated at the Expo complex in Tel Aviv

Citizens queuing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Tel Aviv

“According to experts, there is no biological mechanism that can harm the mother or the fetus,” the statement said. “Women who received the vaccine without knowing they were pregnant did not report abnormal effects during pregnancy compared to their counterparts who were not vaccinated.”

Pregnant women were not previously included among the priority groups for the vaccine and were unable to set an appointment to obtain the vaccine. In the past, Ministry of Health regulations even banned giving the vaccine during pregnancy because it was not tested on pregnant women during clinical trials.

Vaccine against the crown in ShebaVaccine against the crown in Sheba

COVID-19 vaccine vials

(Photo: AFP)

Meanwhile, a 35-year-old woman and a seven-month pregnant woman was taken to Petah Tikva Rabin Medical Center earlier, while doctors were fighting for her life. She had given birth by cesarean section and is now in a very serious condition. The baby is in a stable state.

A five-month pregnant woman was hospitalized in the Sheba Intensive Care Unit and another was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Netanya Laniado Hospital.

Four women pregnant with coronavirus have been hospitalized in recent days at Maayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak, one of them gave birth. All four needed respiratory support but were not given oxygen.

.Source