COVID-19 Cases Increase Among Pregnant Women, Public Health Encourages Vaccinations Among Expectant/New Moms

The number of COVID-19 cases among pregnant women in L.A. County has increased 300% from 27 cases reported among pregnant women during the week ending June 27, to 81 cases reported during the week ending July 25.

As of Aug. 10, there are 11,264 pregnant women who tested positive for COVID-19. Seventy-seven percent of pregnant women testing positive for COVID-19 are Latina/Latinx, 11% are White, 5% are African American/Black, and 5% are Asian.  Although rare, women infected during their pregnancy can pass on the virus to their newborn. Among the 10,998 births where there was testing information, 55 infants tested positive for COVID-19. Twelve pregnant women who tested positive for COVID-19 have tragically passed away.

Mounting data shows that COVID-19 infection increases the risk of severe illness and pregnancy complications. Studies have also affirmed the vaccines’ safety in all stages of pregnancy. In light of these findings and the increase in cases across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC strengthened its recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination for all women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health or Public Health encourages pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding to get vaccinated and have resources available to assist pregnant women and women of childbearing age get the facts at: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/docs/vaccine/WomenAndCOVIDvaccine.pdf