In this cohort study, no evidence of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was identified in the first 101 newborns born to mothers positive for or with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infections at a large medical center in an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study endorses the benefits of rooming-in, establishing breastfeeding, and delaying bathing on newborn outcomes and suggests that separating mothers positive for SARS-CoV-2 and their newborns and avoiding direct breastfeeding may not be warranted to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

The primary outcome was newborn SARS-CoV-2 testing results. Maternal COVID-19 status was classified as asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic vs severe/critical. Newborn characteristics and clinical courses were compared across maternal COVID-19 severity.

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