Dear Friend,

Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread throughout the world and has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Bonei Olam couples that are planning or are in the midst of fertility treatments are very much in our thoughts.

At this point, not a great deal is known about the impact of COVID-19 on reproduction and pregnancy. While additional information is being collected and analyzed and more detailed guidance is being formulated, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) issued a brief guidance statement on March 13, 2020. Among other recommendations, that statement urged all patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 and are undergoing active infertility treatment to strongly consider freezing all oocytes or embryos and avoid an embryo transfer until they are disease-free.

Currently, very little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on reproduction and pregnancy. There are reports of women who have tested positive for COVID-19 delivering babies free of the disease. This data is reassuring but must be interpreted with caution given the small numbers. Other forms of coronavirus have been linked to increased adverse outcomes during pregnancy, but data specific to COVID-19 is not yet available. It should be emphasized, however, that coronaviruses are unrelated to the ZIKA virus, which had very clear implications for pregnancy and fetal development.

We understand that it is no simple thing to tell a couple to postpone treatment. For these people, who are already in an emotionally vulnerable state, asking them to push off their chance for hope is wrenching. Nevertheless, after careful consideration, we concluded that due to the circumstances, it is prudent for those not amid a cycle to postpone any treatment for the time being. For even if they are asymptomatic, many may be quarantined at any time disrupting their treatment cycle.

For those healthy individuals that have begun treatment already, as stated above the data is reassuring and we recommend you follow the advice of your physician.

ASRM announced the establishment of an emergency task force of reproductive medicine and infectious disease experts to examine available data and draft guidance for the professional reproductive care community, their patients and policymakers. You can see the press releases and bulletins here.

As always, we at Bonei Olam are available to offer guidance and answer any questions that you may have. Please call your counselor or call our 24 hour medical line at 718-373-2000.

We daven to Hashem he should send Refuos and Yeshuos to all, the sick should be healed and the healthy should remain so. You should be blessed with Doros Yeshorim and much Nachas.

The Medical Team at Bonei Olam