Screening and Testing Pregnant Patients for SARS-CoV-2: First Wave Experience of a Designated COVID-19 Hospitalization Centre in Montreal

Trahan, Marie-Julie; Mitric, Cristina; Malhamé, Isabelle; Abenhaim, Haim A.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may present asymptomatically in a large proportion of cases in endemic areas. Accordingly, universal testing has been suggested as a potential strategy for reducing transmission in the obstetrical setting. We describe the clinical characteristics of patients who tested positive for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) during pregnancy at a designated COVID-19 hospitalization centre in Montreal, Quebec. METHODS: A single-centre retrospective cohort was constructed to include all pregnant patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March 22 and July 31, 2020, and received care at the Jewish General Hospital. Initially, testing was restricted to at-risk patients, identified through the use of a screening questionnaire. Beginning on May 15, 2020, universal testing was implemented, and all pregnant patients admitted to hospital were tested. Data were collected through chart review. RESULTS: Of 803 patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 during the study period, 41 (5%) tested positive. Among those patients who were symptomatic, the most commonly reported symptoms were cough (53%), fever (37%), dyspnea (30%), and anosmia and/or ageusia (20%). Prior to the implementation of universal testing, 13% (3/24) of patients with SARS-CoV-2 were asymptomatic. Following the implementation of universal testing, 80% (8/10) of patients with SARS-CoV-2 were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that most pregnant patients with SARS-CoV-2 are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms of COVID-19. Particularly in endemic areas, universal testing of pregnant patients presenting to hospital should be strongly considered as an important measure to prevent in-hospital and community transmission of COVID-19.