Wigan police officer got to see his second child born thanks to Covid-19 test

PC Joe Burrows, his wife Gemma and their son Leo and daughter Georgiana

PC Burrows, who lives in the borough but works in Bolton, didn’t want to miss the birth of his child so he contacted Superintendent (Supt) Andrea Quinton to explain the situation and see if there was anything she could do to help him obtain his test results earlier than the scheduled 72 hours.

She contacted the National Testing Programme Team and fortunately got the result pushed through in the nick of time.

Eight hours after her call PC Burrows had confirmation he had tested negative and he dashed to the hospital, arriving shortly before his baby daughter made her entrance into the world.

PC Burrows said: “I was slightly concerned when Gemma told me she was in labour as she wasn’t due until the following week.

"Thankfully my test results were able to be fast-tracked through and after testing negative, I was able to head into the hospital to be with Gemma just in time to welcome our beautiful baby girl Georgiana into the world.

“We already have a little boy Leo, who is two-and-a-half, so I know Georgiana could have come any moment. I’m so thankful that my results were able to be put through quickly and I could be with Gemma in the hospital.

“At this current time, it’s fantastic to be able to have some positive news to look back on and I’ll definitely be telling Georgiana all about this when she’s older.”

Supt Quinton said: “We are extremely fortunate to be in a position where we have the facility to test our GMP officers and staff, alongside members of their family if they are displaying symptoms.

“As Baby Burrows decided to make an appearance a week early, naturally Joe was really worried at potentially missing the birth of his child. Thankfully I was able to put the request to the National Testing Programme Team and they were able to push his test result through quickly.

"I am really grateful he was able to attend the hospital."

Department of Health and Social Care Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “This heart-warming story shows another important benefit of mass testing – a huge congratulations to PC Burrows and his family on the birth of their daughter.

“The Government is rapidly scaling up the national effort to boost testing capacity for frontline workers to protect the vulnerable and ultimately save lives.

“New regional testing sites are helping to end uncertainty of whether key workers need to stay at home, meaning those who test negatively are able to return to work.”