The boy, who was less than 5 years old, had underlying illnesses and died last month from COVID-19-related complications, according to the Orange County health care agency.
“My heart goes out to this family who has lost a beautiful young life. This is an urgent reminder that we must do everything we can to protect our little ones, children and babies in our community who are not yet eligible for vaccination, “Dr. Clayton Chau, a county health officer, said in a press release.
No additional details about the child, such as gender and exact age, were immediately released.
This is the second pediatric death by COVID in Orange County. The first juvenile covetous death occurred in August 2020, and that adolescent had significant underlying medical conditions.
Last month, a child under the age of 12 was reported to have underlying health conditions among COVID-19 deaths in Los Angeles County.
“In any case, this reminds us how this disease can affect everyone at any age,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the county’s non-commissioned officer of health.
The doctor says there are more children receiving COVID at family reunions than at school
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is calling on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to establish a temporary emergency rule that would oblige companies to ensure workers are vaccinated.
“The president covers more than 100 million workers with vaccination requirements: 100 million workers, or two-thirds of our workers in the United States,” said Jeff Zients, White House COVID coordinator.
There is resistance to the plan. An ABC News / Washington Post survey finds that nine out of ten unvaccinated adults oppose employer-led vaccine warrants. And among unvaccinated workers, less than two in ten say they will comply.
“We need to help people have confidence that getting vaccinated is the right choice for them and their families,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
This is because there are a record number of COVID infections among children. The president visited a school this morning with the secretary of education.
“The safest thing you can do for your 12-year-old or older is to vaccinate them,” Biden said.
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On Thursday, LAUSD became the largest district imposing vaccines for students 12 and older.
“We need to do everything we can to protect our children and keep them safe in school for face-to-face learning,” said Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC.
Los Angeles County says it re-examined older COVID cases and found evidence of the mu variant that appeared during the summer. The good news is that overall figures are improving and cases are declining.
“With our seven-day cumulative case rate, there are now 104 new cases per 100,000 residents, this case rate represents a 35% decrease from last week. This is the third consecutive week we’ve seen a decrease. the rate of cases, ”he said. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Officials say that although they see more advanced cases, they are still a very small number. More than 90% of people hospitalized with COVID are not vaccinated.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that the death of the child was the first COVID-related pediatric death in Orange County. He is the second, but the youngest.
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