The government of Cameroon has stressed the need for a greater protection of babies and newborns against the COVID-19

This was at the centre of the daily update at the Emergency Operations Centre in Yaounde at the weekend as the Director of Disease Control at the Ministry of Public Health Dr Alain Georges Etoundi Mballa said newborns remain exposed to the pandemic.

However, research has proven that the virus cannot be transmitted from a mother to her foetus during pregnancy or at birth, Dr Etoundi Mballa said.

“In the same light, no virus has so far been discovered in the amniotic fluid or breast milk in women who have tested positive of the virus,” he said.

However, he infected mothers to remain vigilant and respect the barrier measures given that the virus is transmitted through body contacts except the baby.

On the other hand, mothers who are asymptomatic have equally been encouraged to breastfeed their babies because it helps protect them against infections.

He urged pregnant women to strictly respect the guidelines given to them by health workers during pregnancy, at birth of while breastfeeding in order to save the lives of their babies.

To better protect the babies, mothers have been strictly prohibited from going out with them for visits or getting visitor come in close contact with the babies except for medical reasons.

“The baby can get the COVID-19 through other persons so visits can wait. This (the COVID-19 pandemic) is just a temporary situation and physical distancing is the best way to protect ourselves and families,” Dr Etoundi Mballa said.