A child who contracted COVID-19 died in northern Virginia, health officials said Thursday.
The Virginia Department of Health said it was the first reported death of someone with COVID-19 who was 9 years old or younger in the Northern Region health district. The exact age of the child was not provided for privacy reasons.
This health district includes the city of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Fairfax and Falls Church Cities, Loudoun County, Manassas and Manassas Park Cities and Prince William County.
Health officials did not release any additional information about the child.
“Our heart goes out to this child’s family and friends for their tragic loss,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. M. Norman Oliver, in a press release.
“Across the country, COVID-19 continues to cause illness and death. The Delta variant is now the most prevalent strain nationwide and spreads more easily from person to person, “Oliver said.” We urge everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and those around them. It is recommended that all people aged 12 and over be vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. “
The state health department encouraged residents to take the COVID-19 vaccine, wear a mask in indoor public places, even vaccinated, and practice physical distancing.
For greater protection against the virus, health officials say avoid large concentrations and crowds, poorly ventilated indoor spaces, wash your hands often, clean and disinfect objects frequently, and stay home when you are sick. .
Children, many of whom cannot get the vaccine, are admitted in record numbers across the country as the delta variant continues to increase. Doctors warned it could get worse as schools reopened.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 180,175 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the United States from August 12-19.
“After declining in early summer, children’s cases have increased exponentially, with an increase of four times in the last month, from 38,000 cases in the week ending July 22nd to 180,000 last week, ”AAP says on its website.
As of Thursday, Virginia reported more than 570,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 30,000 people are hospitalized. About 10,000 people who were confirmed to have the disease have died in the state.