SARS-CoV-2 updates in a West African population and precautionary measures for sustaining quality antenatal care delivery

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a global health burden characterised by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections [1]. Since it was declared as a Public Health Emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus has infected a total of 57 870 Africans with 2154 deaths and 19 363 recoveries as at 9 May 2020 (Figure 1, panel A) [4]. The slow increase in Ghana’s cases is due to the appropriate preventive measures adopted by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in line with recommendations from the WHO and closure of all borders enforced by the Ghana Immigration Services to effectively undertake community enhanced surveillance, mandatory quarantining all international travellers and mandatory self-quarantine for those who had come into close contact with affected individuals. Even though pregnant women are currently not recognised as the high-risk population for COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2, the demand of pregnancy may cause immunological and physiological changes that may make pregnant mothers more vulnerable to viral respiratory infections, such as influenza associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) [8,9]. [...]the restriction of entry for parents/family impedes the drive to promote family-centred care in the antenatal care unit and will impede bonding between the pregnant women, their newborns and husbands as well as prevent other practical, social, emotional and spiritual support they receive from other relatives.