(Ohio) – Under new guidelines from the CDC, mothers and their newborn babies could be separated in an effort to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this would be the case where the mother tests positive for the virus or is a presumptive case awaiting results. While current research does not suggest the virus can be transmitted through breastmilk, experts indicate the process of breastfeeding could lead to the transmission through droplets. Officials suggest breastfeeding mothers who have tested positive, pump and have a healthy person feed the baby.

The CDC indicated “it is unknown whether newborns with COVID-19 are at increased risk for severe complications. Transmission after birth via contact with infectious respiratory secretions is a concern. To reduce the risk of  transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 from the mother to the newborn, facilities should consider temporarily separating (e.g., separate rooms) the mother who has confirmed COVID-19 or is a PUI from her baby until the mother’s transmission-based precautions are discontinued.”

The complete CDC guidelines can be found here.