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Birth partners are to be routinely tested at St Mary's Hospital Maternity Unit, as part of a new initiative to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
From Monday, partners of women who are having an overnight stay will be tested for COVID-19, with results being given within 90 minutes.
Women who attend for the induction of labour, who are in labour, and their partners will also be offered a test.
Pregnant women will also continue to be tested for the virus upon arrival at the unit, with those having ane elective Caesarean section continuing to have a swab taken 24-48 hours before to prevent any delays to the procedure.
If a birth partner tests positive for coronavirus, they will be expected to follow Government guidance and leave the unit to self-isolate.
In this case, another support person would be welcome to attend and offered a coronavirus test.