COVID-19 Surveillance in Pregnant women and household contacts

The Pregnancy Surveillance Study aims to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy and household contacts of pregnant women, since there is insufficient research on this population. This study will determine the natural history of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, including the potential for vertical transmission, among HIV-uninfected pregnant individuals and those living with HIV.

This will include follow-up of pregnant women and evaluation of pregnant women who are diagnosed with COVID-19 disease in pregnancy. Furthermore, a nested prospective cohort study will be conducted to estimate the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in a subset of households with an infection identified in pregnant individuals.

Finally, there will be a surveillance of COVID-19 infection in women at delivery to understand the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy. This study will be conducted in the inner city of Johannesburg in several facilities. Applications for funding is in progress and will be submitted for regulatory apvals shortly.