Woman Becomes Symptomatic After Husband Hid Coronavirus Symptoms to Visit Her at Maternity Ward

A man hid his coronavirus symptoms to get into the maternity ward where his expectant wife is located. Fox News reported that it happened at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC).

According to Democrat and Chronicle, the man confessed only when his wife began to show symptoms of COVID-19 shortly after giving birth.

“The mother became symptomatic shortly after delivering. That’s when the significant other admitted his potential exposure and that he was feeling symptomatic,” said Chip Partner, a URMC spokesman.

“The patient in question and her partner were in a private maternity room throughout their hospital stay,” Partner said. “Both the mother and partner were isolated from other patients.”

FFS: Wife sick after husband hid coronavirus symptoms to visit her in the maternity ward https://t.co/7ciCFINkT2

— William deVry (@WilliamdeVry1) April 2, 2020

USA Today reported that according to Partner, whether the mother, father, or newborn actually developed COVID-19 could not be disclosed due to privacy laws.

Partner added that when the mother started showing symptoms, hospital staff learned that the father was not only exposed to COVID-19 – he was also symptomatic. The hospital told its staff who came in contact with the couple about the situation and did the necessary health precautions.

The couple and the newborn were asked to self-quarantine until their test results came back, and they were discharged from the hospital, as reported by Fox News.

Barbara Ficarra, a URMC spokeswoman, said: “We have been continually adjusting our procedures and safeguards during this rapidly evolving public health threat.” The hospital has announced new visitation rules in its obstetrics units on Friday.

The hospital now only allows a single visitor for birth and throughout the postpartum period up to hospital discharge. The visitor will be screened upon arrival.

“Anyone with coronavirus-like symptoms will be turned away from the maternity ward. But even after passing the initial screening, the visitor will be screened twice a day throughout the hospital stay. And the visitor is not allowed to leave the patient’s side – not even for a smoke – for the duration of the stay,” reported Fox News.

“We recommend utilizing technology to keep in touch with other friends and family during this special time,” the hospital said. “We will return to regular visiting practices as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.”