New Mom Isolates Herself, Newborn Due To Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fears

Oklahoma has identified its first case of COVID-19 in a child.

Details are still sparse, but state health officials report the child is between a few days to four years old.

Meanwhile, hospitals all around Oklahoma are limiting visitors.

When it comes to the maternity wards, Norman Regional Hospital is allowing only two support people, and taking temperatures of those who enter the facilities doors.

One woman from Oklahoma, now living in Missouri, said she is isolating with her four-week old at home.

“Really just concern for her because I feel like there hasn't been much about newborns really. They say older people, and people about weakened immune systems, but what about a newborn baby who hasn't even had her vaccines yet. It's kind of scary. Lucikly, I am home on maternity leave still,” said Becca Luter, who delivered almost four weeks ago.

As a new parent, Becca has the same worries most new moms do. COVID-19 added to that list of concerns in a big way.

“I am not concerned about me, but my husband goes to work every day, so when he comes home, of course I am like wash your hands, make sure you're clean before you touch her at all, but it's still scary while him and I are fine, I don't really know what it could be doing to her,” Luter said.

Doctors with OU Medical are studying the effects the virus could have on pregnant women.

A mom-to-be won’t be tested for the virus unless she is showing symptoms.

That could change as doctors learn more.

“As best as we know yet, there is no vertical transmission of COVID-19 that is from mother to fetus in pregnancy, or from mother to infant at the time of birth,” said Dr. Rodney Edwards, OU Medical Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine.

And once baby and mom make it home from the hospital, they will still need supplies from the store.

Panic purchasing has some families wondering if there will be enough for them too.

“We have enough stuff to last us at least three or four weeks. So, I feel like we are okay. But I keep hearing formula is running out, diapers, wipes are running out. It is kind of nerve-racking. Like do we need to be fully stocked up for a longtime, or is it going to die down in a couple of weeks,” said Luter.

With a limited amount of COVID-19 testing kits, the family wonders if they were exposed to the virus already and had no idea.

“Even now, with the test. Being so scarce, who knows. There could have been a ton of people in the hospital with it, and we just didn't know,” said Luter.

Baby Eleanor did get to meet her grandparents before the uptick in cases, but the Luter's said she will have to wait to meet the rest of the family when COVID-19 cases drop off.