Does virus induce birth – and why are we still in lockdown?

Q Does the coronavirus increase the risk of having a premature birth? A

There have been rare reports of pregnant women with Covid-19 giving birth prematurely – that is to say before 38 weeks.

Some people suspect this to be the case for Boris Johnson’s partner, Carrie Symonds, who gave birth last week. She had previously revealed she was suffering from the virus.

However, these cases are rare and it is not yet known if the premature birth is caused directly by the virus itself, or by other problems seen with any viral infection.

For instance, doctors may induce labour if the mother is particularly unwell and doctors fear the illness will worsen, or mother and baby are deemed to be at risk.

Infections have long been known to trigger premature birth for a whole host of reasons – as can periods of stress. The current climate is highly stressful for many, so it’s unsurprising to see an increase in premature births.

However, pregnant women and unborn babies are not considered be at increased risk of severe illness due to the infection.

More than 86 per cent of pregnant women who contract the virus will only suffer mild symptoms, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

It is vital that pregnant women attend all their antenatal checks and urgently contact their midwife with any concerns.

Q If we are past the peak of the virus, why are we still in lockdown? A

When

the Prime Minister said on Thursday that we have ‘passed the peak’ of the virus, it means that numbers of cases and deaths won’t continue to climb, day by day.

From now on, the number of people who die every day, and the number of new daily infections, will get smaller and smaller. But the cases won’t stop – they’ll just slow down.

Cases are slowing down because the transmission rate of the virus, also called the ‘R’ number, has fallen below one.

This means that each person with the virus gives it to fewer than one other person. At the beginning of lockdown, the ‘R’ number was between two and three in the UK, meaning each person with the infection was passing it to at least two to three people, allowing it to spread rapidly.

If the spread continues to slow in this way, the infection could fizzle out. But for this to happen, we need to keep the ‘R’ number below one.

Without a vaccine, we must rely on significant social-distancing measures to achieve this.

If the lockdown is lifted too early, without the appropriate measures in place, it is likely that the ‘R’ number will rise and we will see a second wave of infection.

It’s for this reason that, currently, the lockdown is still deemed necessary to keep us safe and protect the NHS.

Q What exactly does the Covid-19 test involve?

A

Samples of mucous and saliva are taken from the nose and throat. If you’re doing it at home, the kit comes with a set of clear instructions and a set of swabs which look like an extra-long cotton bud.

It is not a painful process but it is pretty unpleasant – the nose swab reaches about an inch into the nostril.

The results are then sent off and take two to three days to come back. If you are going to a drive-in testing site, a nurse will take the sample through the open window of your car.

Q I have a once-in-a-lifetime holiday planned for February – will it be safe to go? A

No one can make certain plans now, however far in advance. Returning to normal life is dependent on several factors, such as vaccines being available, as well as extensive tracking and tracing systems. Tracing is key to quickly identifying and isolating cases, preventing them from spreading again.

Without these measures in place, a return to real life would easily allow large waves of cases again. It is unlikely that there’ll be any sudden return to normality by the end of this year. It is entirely possible that the cold winter weather may accelerate transmission.

It’s likely that Ministers will be particularly stringent about social distancing measures as the weather dips to avoid a second wave.