Credit: Centers for Disease Control
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LOUISIANA (77WABC) — A child under the age of 1 has died of COVID-19, The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed yesterday.
“Each COVID-19 death in Louisiana has been heart wrenching, but the loss of such a young child, who could not be vaccinated yet, is tragic and a stark reminder of the difficult circumstance we are in throughout Louisiana,” Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said in a statement. “Right now, we are seeing younger people hospitalized. They are getting sicker than in the previous surge and, unfortunately some of them may die.”
Edwards added that the Delta variant makes up all COVID-19 cases in the state, and stressed the importance of COVID safety — including vaccines. The Louisiana governor also issued a statewide mask mandate, including school age children.
Today, @LADeptHealth confirms the death of a child under the age of 1– the first of the fourth surge of COVID-19 in Louisiana. Today, we report 110 deaths from COVID, including this child, bringing the total of COVID deaths in the state to 12,226. 📄https://t.co/6AjjZmqfjD #lagov
— Gov. John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 25, 2021
“This news is heartbreaking,” said. Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer. “And it’s a tragic reminder that the numbers we report everyday are also our children, friends and neighbors, and that no one is immune to this virus’ impact. The best way we can protect ourselves, our loved ones and young children who are not eligible to get the vaccine is to get vaccinated ourselves and wear a mask. It’s really that simple.”
The Louisiana Department of Health reported 110 deaths from COVID-19 yesterday, including the young child, bringing the total deaths in the state from the virus to 12,226. In total, 11 children under the age of 18 have died from COVID in Louisiana.
31% of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Louisiana were in children younger than 18.