Key clinical point: The prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients with a scheduled delivery and their support persons suggests that universal testing or universal precautions with personal protective equipment may be needed to prevent exposure to COVID-19.

Major finding: Among women with a planned delivery in a New York City health system during the first half of April, the rate of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was 16%. Among the patients’ designated support persons, the asymptomatic carrier rate was 10%.

Study details: An observational study of 155 women who were scheduled for a planned delivery within the Mount Sinai Health System in New York between April 4 and April 15, 2020, and their 146 support persons.

Disclosures: One study author receives payment from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology for serving as a board examiner, receives payment from UpToDate, and serves as an expert witness in malpractice and products liability cases. The other authors did not report any potential conflicts of interest.