Thailand Hospital Creates Mini Face Shields To Protect Newborns

Paolo Hospital Samutprakarn in central Thailand has come with up an idea to safeguard newborns from contracting the coronavirus. The hospital has built little face shields, as per reports. The pictures of babies with these shields swaddled in their blankets in the hospital located in Thailand's Samut Prakarn province have gone viral. The face shields made especially for infants can be used in case of travel or protection, the hospital's Facebook post read.

Also Read: What It’s Like To Be Pregnant In The Coronavirus Pandemic

"We have extra protection measures for little ones and friends, with a face shield for newborns. So cute!" the hospital wrote in a Facebook post. The babies sleep in peace unaware of their Personal Protection Equipment. Another picture of a baby being cradled by a nurse in her own shield has also gone viral. The post further congratulated the new parents. Netizens are hailing the hospital's efforts and have expressed concerns about how serious the situation is.

In yet another picture, a baby is shown wearing a pink shield with a crown decoration at the top. The innovative shields not only highlight the efforts being made by those at the forefront to combat the virus but also shows the gravity of this health concern.

The situation in Thailand

Hospitals across the world have been filled with COVID-19 patients, but at the same time, these hospitals also have to deliver babies and thus the Thailand hospital came out with the innovative shields to take special care of the newborns. Thailand has thus far confirmed more than 2,400 coronavirus cases, of which 50 were reported in the last 24 hours. At the time of filing this, there were 1,427 active cases in the country. As per the data, 33 people have succumbed to COVID-19, and 1,013 people have been successfully treated. The country is under lockdown till April 15 to contain the transmission of the virus.

Necessary steps for newborns

Among the concerns that an expectant mother faces, the global pandemic has become a major one. Although there has been no scientific proof that the infection can be contracted from a COVID-19 positive mother to a newborn, it can contract the virus through postpartum contact.  Once the baby is born, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a temporary separation of COVID-19 positive mothers from the infants to avoid contracting the virus. It has also recommended the following breastfeeding measures:

• In order to establish and maintain milk supply, the temporarily separated mothers are to express their breast milk with the help of a breast pump, only after ensuring their hands are clean.
• After each pumping session, the entire pump should be properly disinfected following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• The expressed breast milk should be given to the babies by a healthy caregiver.
• If a corona suspected mother wishes to feed at the breast, she should do so by wearing a face mask and practising proper hand hygiene.

Also Read: What Does ‘Recovered From Coronavirus’ Mean? 4 Questions Answered

Saavriti is an intern with SheThePeople.TV