Coronavirus Covid 19: Two pregnant women among the dead in Fiji

Through RNZ

Two pregnant women are among the last Fijian victims of Covid-19.

Doctors were able to save the newborns of the two women, the Ministry of Health announced last night.

The ministry reported a record 21 deaths from the virus, as well as 1,091 new cases within 24 hours to 8 a.m. on Wednesday. The deaths occurred between July 14 and July 20.

Health Secretary Dr James Fong said that although the outbreak was contained on the main island of Viti Levu, mainly in the Lami-Suva-Nausori corridor, the ministry had seen an increase in cases in the western division over the past week.

“The two pregnant women had suffered symptoms of Covid-19 at home before coming to our health facilities in severe respiratory distress.

“In both cases, our doctors made the decision to perform emergency cesarean operations to rescue newborns and help care for mothers.

“Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of their attending physicians, both mothers passed away. The quick actions of the obstetric team saved both babies.

“Maternal deaths at any time are a tragedy, and maternal deaths from Covid-19 are a clear indication of the severity of this epidemic. “

It was not known at what stage of pregnancy the mothers were.

It was the sixth day of the last seven that the daily case count had exceeded 1,000. The day before, 1,054 cases and 12 deaths between July 13 and July 19 were reported.

Fong said that given the rapidly evolving covid situation in Fiji, health teams were working around the clock to redefine priorities and “focus our efforts on making sure we protect those most at risk of. Serious Covid-19 and to die ”.

“Our seniors, people with existing health problems and pregnant women are most at risk.

“These changes include changes to our testing services, home quarantine counseling, ensuring that we are providing life-saving medical care to those most at risk, and establishing vaccination for pregnant women.”

Fiji now has more than 15,000 active isolated cases. It has recorded 146 deaths, including 144 during the last outbreak which started in April.

Call to return to normal antenatal care

An Australian health expert has said that Fijian women who have contracted Covid-19 should resume normal prenatal care as soon as they are no longer contagious.

Addressing a virtual discussion on Fiji, Professor Michelle Giles of Monash University in Melbourne said that as a general rule, a woman’s standard antenatal care should not be compromised because she has Covid- 19.

And she said it shouldn’t be done face to face.

Giles said she would encourage pregnant women not to stay away from hospitals or health facilities beyond the 14 days for fear of infecting others, as this was not likely to happen.

“What we actually do know is that some people can shed the virus for a longer period of time, and that may not mean that they are contagious to others.

“I think if you have other infection control measures in place and they have had their 14 days, I would neither require nor require a negative test before they return for antenatal care.”

The Fijian Ministry of Health has started administering approximately 150,000 doses of Moderna vaccine to pregnant women.

More data showed Moderna is safer for pregnant women and their unborn babies, Giles said. Thousands of pregnant women in the United States had received the Moderna vaccine, and studies showed babies weren’t born preterm or with abnormalities, and their mothers weren’t more likely to experience side effects.

“Women should get vaccinated as soon as they can, but I think if there are women who are particularly concerned about a vaccine, I think we have accumulated a lot of safety data for the Moderna vaccine, this which is also very reassuring. “

Fiji’s immunization task force leader Dr Rachel Devi said that from next Monday pregnant women will have a choice between the AstraZeneca or Moderna vaccine.

“We will not vaccinate anyone. If someone has already received their first dose of AstraZeneca during pregnancy, they will receive their second dose of AstraZeneca.

“For those who haven’t been, they’ll be offered Moderna, but of course the choice is theirs.”