EDITOR: NANA YAW ASAMOAH (NAYAS)Saturday 14th March, 2020 @9:30 am
The child's mother was rushed to hospital days ago with suspected pneumonia but her positive result was only known after the birth.
The pair are being treated at separate hospitals as the mother's condition is understood to be worse than the baby's.
The newborn is being treated at North Middlesex Hospital where it was born, while the mother was moved to a specialist infections hospital.
After doctors learned of the mother's positive result, the baby was tested very soon after its arrival, according to The Sun.
Doctors are trying to establish how the newborn contracted the virus, either through the womb or during birth.
A source said: 'Staff in contact with both patients have been advised to self-isolate.
'Health officials are urgently trying to find out the circumstances behind their infections.'
Officials have advised the pregnant women and babies are at low risk from coronavirus and are likely to only endure mild symptoms.
Unlike other infections, the mortality rate of coronavirus does not curve at both age groups, but only among the elderly.
The news comes as the UK's infection toll soars by more than 200 in one day to around 800 with 11 fatalities in total.
Scotland's chief medical officer confirmed the latest patient had died, saying: 'I offer my deepest sympathy to their friends and family at this difficult time'. Officials refused to release any other details.
Meanwhile the Welsh health minister revealed as many as 20,000 people could die in Wales as he suspended all non-urgent surgical procedures and outpatient appointments.
