Scotland’s youngest Coronavirus patient returns safe and well to Bellshill home

Tiny Peyton touched the nation’s hearts when she featured in last night’s BBC News report on the incredible efforts of colleagues at University Hospital Wishaw, who are bravely tackling the challenge of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Peyton, who was born eight weeks premature on 26 March, was delivered by c-section after mum Tracy Maguire was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects pregnant women, following an appointment with her midwife.

The tot was being cared for in an incubator in Wishaw’s neonatal unit when Tracy (27) and husband AJ were told on 15 April that their 3lbs 11oz baby had tested positive for COVID-19, despite having none of the tell-tale symptoms of the condition.

Tracy said: “When I heard Peyton had coronavirus I was sobbing and really worried about how it could affect her respiratory system, her lungs and if it was life threatening. She’d had a sniffle, which is why they’d tested her for a range of viruses including COVID-19.

“We were told we’d have to stay away from Peyton for 14 days and isolate at home but I pleaded not to be apart from my baby for that long. The staff kindly agreed I could to isolate with her in the hospital while AJ stayed at home.

“Watching the staff at work was incredible. They put their lives at risk to make sure my baby was getting fed and cuddled. Even wearing their PPE, they were determined to hold her. Peyton is the most precious person in the world to me and it shows the trust I had in the midwives and the other staff that I put her care in their hands - because that is that they are trained to do.

“My message to any mums-to-be is that they shouldn’t be worried about going into hospital to give birth because the staff know exactly what they need to do to protect everyone from the virus. And if people have symptoms of a serious health problem, like I did, they shouldn’t be scared to go to hospital and get checked out because just leaving it could make their condition worse.”

Following two negative coronavirus tests, Peyton was able to leave the hospital yesterday (20 April) and is now at home in Bellshill in North Lanarkshire with Tracy, a digital marketing student, and AJ (28), a personal trainer and boxing coach.

Tracy added: “Only someone who has been in our position can understand the gratitude we feel towards the hospital staff.”

NHS Lanarkshire chief midwife Cheryl Clark said: “We’re delighted that the fantastic care Peyton has received from our staff has meant she is well enough to go home, allowing AJ to be reunited with his wife and daughter.”