An expectant mum and her unborn baby have died after apparently being infected with the British variant of COVID-19 with officials warning the new mutations appear to be a greater risk to pregnant women.

The woman, Osnat Ben Shitrit, 32, had no underlying health conditions when she was rushed to the Hadassah Medical Centre in the Israeli city of Jerusalem with breathing difficulties on 16th February.

According to the hospital, her condition started to deteriorate rapidly on 20th February.

She underwent an emergency C-section, but unfortunately, neither mother nor child survived, despite attempts to save her and her 30-week-old foetus, which was not infected with COVID-19 but was born in a critical condition.

Osnat’s cause of death was registered as multi-system organ failure.

It is believed Osnat may have been infected with the British strain, which now comprises nearly all COVID-19 cases in Israel.

Previously the British variant of the virus was believed to be more transmissible but not necessarily more dangerous. However, doctors are now concerned the strain poses a heightened risk for pregnant women.

Israel started to encourage expecting mothers to get vaccinated last month. However, despite the country’s roaring vaccine success, Osnat had not yet received the jab when she was admitted to hospital with symptoms.

Professor Galia Grisaru-Soen of the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre told local media: “The new variants, British and maybe South African, seem to be more dangerous to pregnant women, and we should encourage pregnant women, at least after the first trimester, to be vaccinated.”

Osnat leaves behind a husband and four children. She was buried at Har Hamenuhot Cemetery in Jerusalem on 21st February.

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