Three pregnant women rushed to ICU in Ireland after becoming 'very unwell' with Covid-19

Three pregnant women were rushed to intensive care after becoming "very unwell" with Covid-19, a top doctor has confirmed.

Dr Peter McKenna, Clinical Director of the Women and Infants Health Programme, said that the three women were in ICU in Irish hospitals over the weekend.

He told reporters: "I do know at the weekend there were three pregnant women who were in intensive care.

"So, whereas we have had a very good outcome in terms of mortality, that is not in any way to minimise the impact it has had on those pregnant women that have been admitted to intensive care.

"And despite the fact the numbers are falling, we still have three pregnant women who are unwell, very unwell.

Dr Peter McKenna, Clinical Director of the Women and Infants Health Programme (RTE)

He continued: "Transfer from a maternity hospital to a general hospital for women that are unwell is not an infrequent occurrence, it happens whether there is Covid or not."

And Dr McKenna said that there is now evidence that the Covid-19 vaccine is safe for pregnant women, however he insisted it is a personal choice for each individual.

He added: "There's absolutely no doubt that women who have got health issues or any issues that place them at particular risk should accept the vaccination when it is offered to them and that has been the policy to date.

"As is commonly known, pregnant women were excluded from original trials, but having said that there is evidence now accumulating as to its safety in the pregnant population.

"I think in pregnancy certainly there should be a significant element of personal choice, if you're offered the vaccine and can avail of it, each individual should assess their risk, and decide along those lines."

It comes after further 403 Covid-19 cases were confirmed yesterday evening.

However no further Covid-19 related deaths were announced last night.

The figures were published by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Monday.

Dublin remains the hardest-hit region with 174 new infections, while there was 34 in Meath, 20 in Kildare, 18 in Mayo, 16 in Cork and the remaining 141 cases are spread across 20 other counties.