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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – San Diego County on Friday announced the first death in the county of a pregnant woman from COVID-19.
The San Diego woman was not vaccinated and died earlier this week after being hospitalized, as was her unborn child, according to the County Health and Human Services Agency. Her age and other details of her death and pregnancy are not being reported to protect her and her family’s privacy, the county added.
Reports of the woman’s death come days after the county issued an alert to the medical community regarding the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations of unvaccinated pregnant people.
“This is a very unfortunate death, and our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased,” said Seema Shah, medical director of the epidemiology and immunization services branch of the HHSA, in a statement. “Contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy puts you at increased risk of serious complications and death. We urge anyone who is pregnant and unvaccinated to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their babies. “
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From June 1 to September 30, the county recorded 253 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among pregnant people, including 203 among those not fully vaccinated. Of the 253, 31 required hospitalization – 30 of those were not fully vaccinated.
The county continues to urge pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing the CDC’s advice recommending that people get vaccinated before, during or after pregnancy, including those who are breastfeeding.
“It is heartbreaking and tragic news that a pregnant mother and her unborn baby have died of this terrible disease,” said Dr Joanna Adamczak, maternal-fetal specialist and chief medical officer at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns. “We, as healthcare providers, urgently encourage anyone who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant to get vaccinated. It offers important protection for both mother and baby. “
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The CDC reported that pregnant people who contract and develop symptoms of COVID-19 “have a double risk of being admitted to intensive care and a 70% increased risk of death.
In San Diego County, nearly 80% of eligible residents are fully immunized. For more information on vaccination, visit the county website here.
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