The Health Ministry is reporting a worrying increase in Covid cases among pregnant women.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor Mckenzie noted that the affected women tend to be those in the later stages of pregnancy.

Dr. Mckenzie said up to January 17, there were 20 Covid positive pregnant women in hospital.

She said while hospitals have the ability to monitor these cases, there is a challenge with staffing.

She added that if the overall Covid cases continue to increase, then hospitals will face another challenge with the availability of high dependency unit spaces.