The Louisiana Department of Health says an infant is dead after contracting COVID-19.
Officials describe the baby as younger than a year old.
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“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," Governor John Bel Edwards said.
He fears this won't be the last child death during the surge of the Delta variant of the virus.
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"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 warned. "Already, this week, we have confirmed 6,146 COVID cases in children, and last week there were 63 pediatric cases of COVID admitted to the hospital."
In total, 11 children younger than 18 have died from COVID in Louisiana. On Wednesday, 31 percent of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Louisiana were in children younger than 18.
“This news is heartbreaking,” said. Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer. “And it’s a tragic reminder that the numbers we report every day 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.”
Today, the Louisiana Department of Health reports a total of 110 deaths from COVID, including this young child, bringing the total deaths in the state from COVID-19 to 12,226.
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