Cameroon: coronavirus patient gives brith in isolation

A Cameroonian woman undergoing treatment for coronavirus has given birth to a baby girl in an isolation ward in the capital city of Yaoundé.

19-year-old Marie gave birth normally to a baby girl over the weekend but has since been separated from her newborn as a precaution. 

Dr Yaneu Ngaha Bondja Junie, a gynaecologist at Yaoundé Central Hospital, told reporters “we just arranged the room and she delivered on her bed while on oxygen”. 

The baby was born prematurely, weighing only 2.1kg, and is in the neonatal unit. It is not clear whether she is infected but her tests are being processed. 

Marie is continuing with treatment but says she feels lonely as her family are not allowed to enter the isolation unit. 

“We were lucky Marie had a safe delivery, but in a situation where the delivery cannot be normal we have to act fast and go for the C-section," Dr Yaneu said.

The doctor has urged expectant mothers who have contracted the virus not to panic. 

Photo: Dr Yaneu Ngaha