The condition of two new mothers infected with coronavirus has deteriorated after giving birth and now described as critical, the hospital where they are being treated reported Thursday.
The Beilinson Medical Center in Petah Tikva said the two have been connected to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, which assists their heart and lungs.
Hospital officials reported that their condition is serious and unstable.
"Since their condition worsened we have made a decision to connect them to an ECMO machine until their recovery," said Dr. Ilya Kagan, head of the medical center's coronavirus intensive care unit.
Both women, aged 31 and 35, arrived at the hospital during 31st week of pregnancy, with both needing to undergo a C-section. Both do not appear to suffer from any preexisting conditions.
The 31-year-old's baby was transferred to Schneider Children's Medical Center in serious condition. The other woman's baby was transferred to Beilinson's prematurity ward. Both infants are connected to ventilators.
Meanwhile, 37-year-old Miriam Goldis from Bnei Brak is also hospitalized after giving birth while suffering from coronavirus. Laniado Medical Center said that although her condition has improved, she is still anesthetized and connected to a ventilator.
The baby, who was also delivered via C-section, did not contract the virus and is in good condition.
Goldis was in an advanced stage of her pregnancy and was treated at home. Two weeks ago her condition worsened and she was evacuated to the hospital.
"The mother and the baby were among the first to present us the problem of coronavirus and pregnancy," said Dr. Amir Weintraub, deputy director of Laniado Medical Center. "She was in serious condition when she arrived and we were forced to terminate the pregnancy. We hope her condition improve.
Goldis' husband, Menashe, said that he has no idea where Miriam contracted COVID-19.
"We are a family of seven children, with the youngest recently born. I hope she will soon recover," he said.
On the subject of explaining the situation to their children, Menashe said it was "not a happy situation."
"I do not wish this upon anyone," he said. "We are in a war. Whatever is not necessary, refrain from it. It is up to us."