COVID-19: Baby born from infected mother tests negative

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

A coronavirus positive mother gave birth on March 31 to a healthy baby boy in Greek Cypriot administration, according to local media Thursday.

The 3.5-kilogram (7.7-pound) baby will remain at the hospital for seven days and undergo a second coronavirus test. Pending results, he will be able to be discharged.

The baby and mother will be allowed contact only after negative results of the second test for the virus known as COVID-19.

The virus has infected almost 320 people in the long-divided island’s Greek side with nine deaths.

After surfacing in Wuhan, China last December, the virus has spread to at least 180 countries and regions.

The global death toll from COVID-19 approaches 49,200, with almost 963,000 cases worldwide, according to U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Close to 203,000 have recovered.

*Writing by Handan Kazanci