A baby died of COVID-19 in Louisiana even before its first birthday, state health officials said Wednesday.
The Louisiana Department of Health did not disclose the exact name, sex or age of the baby, but said it was the first coronavirus-related death of a child in the state in six months.
“Every death of COVID-19 in Louisiana has been painful, but the loss of such a young child, who has not yet been vaccinated, is tragic and reminds us of the difficult circumstances in which we live throughout Louisiana,” he said. Governor John Bel Said Edwards in a statement.
Thirty-one percent of new cases reported by the state on Wednesday occurred in people under the age of 18, with only 63 children hospitalized in health care centers in the past week alone, state health officials said.
At least 11 children have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, the department said.
State Health Officer Joseph Kanter called the baby’s death “heartbreaking” and reminded residents that vaccination was the best way to protect themselves from the virus.
“The best way to protect ourselves, our loved ones and young children who do not meet the requirements to receive the vaccine is to vaccinate ourselves and wear a mask. It’s really that simple, ”Kanter said.
The state, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, recorded the highest number of deaths since the first wave in the spring of 2020, with a majority of deaths in people who have not yet been vaccinated. completely, reported The Advocate.
According to the state, there have been 12,226 COVID-related deaths in the state.