New born in London becomes youngest coronavirus victim

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.

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.'