Deaths in Louisiana due to COVID-19 have surpassed 14,000 according to the latest data from The Louisiana Department of Health.
The data, released Monday, shows 14,027 total COVID deaths in the state. The LDH reports 39 deaths over this past weekend.
A child between the age 12 and 17 is among those 39 additional deaths. This brings the total of pediatric deaths during this fourth surge to nine says the LDH report.
In total, 18 children younger than 18 have died from COVID in Louisiana.
"Since mid-July, we have mourned the loss of a child to COVID nine times. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but that village also has the responsibility of protecting its children. Masks and vaccines are the protection we have available to us, and we all must do our part," said Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer and Medical Director.