Varanasi: A baby girl in a Varanasi hospital tested positive for Covid-19 soon after her birth despite her mother testing negative for coronavirus before the delivery. The 26-year-old, a resident of the Cantt area in Varanasi, was admitted to SS Hospital in Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi on May 24.

Before the delivery, doctors at the Varanasi hospital tested the 26-year-old for Covid-19 and her report came out negative. On May 25, the woman gave birth to a baby girl who was tested for coronavirus just after her birth. The newborn’s test report, however, came positive despite her mother testing negative for the virus. While the family and doctors are shocked over the newborn being Covid, BHU hospital has said they will test the two again in a few days for Covid-19 infection, sources said.

SSL hospital medical superintendent Dr KK Gupta told HT that this was not a rare or abnormal incident. “The RT-PCR test’s sensitivity was up to 70%. The woman’s sample might have gone beyond that sensitivity. So the woman’s Covid-19 test would be done again.”

Hospital officials have, meanwhile, said both the mother and her newborn are doing fine. Confirming the incident, Varanasi Chief Medical Officer said the RT-PCR tests will be conducted again. "I have been informed about the case, but we can say something only after their re-examination," Dr BB Singh said.

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