A newborn baby in London has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, which is also known as COVID-19.
This case is believed to be the youngest case of the disease in the entire United Kingdom.
The mother of the child, who was brought to the hospital a couple of days before the birth, was suspected to have pneumonia and was caught with the virus.
The mother tested positive for the virus at the North Middlesex Hospital.
The results came back after the birth.
According to the Guardian, minutes after the birth of the baby, it was tested right away for the novel virus.
The North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust confirmed that 2 of their patients have tested positive for the virus.
The staff that was in close contact with the patients throughout the treatment are now being asked to isolate themselves.
It is not known whether the child contracted the deadly disease in the womb or was infected during birth.
It is reported that the baby was still being treated at the hospital.
The mother was transferred to a specialist infections hospital, said the Sun, who reported the incident first.
The North Middlesex University Hospital NHS released a statement about the incident.
They said, “Two patients at North Middlesex University hospital have tested positive for coronavirus. One has been transferred to a specialist centre and one is being treated in an isolation room.”
The statement added, “The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority, so in following guidance from Public Health England, we are regularly deep cleaning the areas where the patients are cared for and staff who were in close contact with these patients were advised to self-isolate.”
As of writing this article, 145,993 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the world.
The total death toll by the virus has officially reached 5,440.