Pregnant nurse, 28, dies of coronavirus after giving birth to baby daughter Colleagues said she was ‘a fabulous nurse, and a great example of what we stand for’

A pregnant nurse who had tested positive for Covid-19 has died after giving birth to her baby daughter.

Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, 28, underwent an emergency caesarean after her own condition deteriorated.

Doctors managed to save the baby girl, who is understood to be alive and being cared for. It is not clear if she has tested positive for the virus.

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‘A fabulous nurse’

Luton and Dunstable Hospital paid tribute to Ms Agyapong, who had worked at the hospital for five years, as “a fabulous nurse, and a great example of what we stand for”.

An email sent to staff, seen by Channel 4 News, said that the hospital had undertaken an emergency cesarean as her condition worsened. It had been hoped she would survive after showing positive clinical signs, but her death was reported on Easter Sunday.

The NHS Trust’s chief executive, David Carter, called the survival of her baby daughter was a “beacon of light at this very dark time”.

In a statement he said: “It is with great sadness that I can confirm the death of one of our nurses, Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, who passed away on Sunday.

“Mary worked here for five years and was a highly valued and loved member of our team, a fantastic nurse and a great example of what we stand for in this Trust.

“She tested positive for Covid-19 after being tested on 5th of April and was admitted to the hospital on the 7th April. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mary’s family and friends at this sad time. We ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this time.”

Pregnant women not at increased risk

Pregnant women have been asked to isolate for 12 weeks as a precautionary measure, but are not thought to be at an increased risk.

The Royal College of Midwives says there is no evidence to suggest pregnant women are more likely to be vulnerable than other people. There is also no evidence of an increased risk of miscarriage or early pregnancy loss.

However experts have urged people who are pregnant to be cautious as there is limited evidence on what effect the virus can have.