Pregnant People at Higher Risk of Severe COVID - Basics Tips for Prevention

Last week, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert based on latest evidence stating that pregnancy puts people at risk for severe forms of COVID-19. This finding, which was identified based on the high maternal mortality rates in the Americas (United States and Mexico), is a major change from what was observed before. Because of this finding, PAHO recommends increasing measures to detect cases early, confirm results quickly, and isolate and quarantine contacts strictly. PAHO is the specialized international health agency for the Americas. The organization works with countries throughout the region to improve and protect people's health.

We are sharing this information (read the alert in full here) to help inform pregnant people and their families and to encourage them to continue or intensify COVID-19 prevention measures. Best practices for prevention can be found on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. In short, you can help prevent COVID-19 for yourself and others by doing the following:

Know how COVID-19 spreads - Mainly from person-to-person, within about 6 feet, through droplets from coughing, sneezing, talking, singing, and even from people who are not showing symptoms ("asymptomatic")

Wash your hands often - Use soap and water and wash for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place or blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing. Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is the next best thing to washing with soap and water - cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Avoid close contact - With people in your home who are sick (at least 6 feet, if possible), and outside your home, keep at least 6 feet of distance with people who don't live in your home.

Cover your mouth and nose with a mask - When going out into public around other people, when around people who don't live with you, and when you can't maintain 6 feet of distance, even if you don't feel sick

Cover coughs and sneezes - Using a tissue or the inside of your elbow; throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands using tips from above. 

Clean and disinfect - For frequently touched surfaces, every day - at home and in the workplace. 

Monitor your health daily - Watch for COVID-19 symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms.

If symptoms develop - Follow CDC guidelines.