Baby under one year old dies of COVID in Louisiana: authorities

A baby has died from COVID-19 in Louisiana even before reaching his first birthday, state health officials reported on Wednesday.

The Louisiana Department of Health did not release the infant’s name, sex or exact age, but said it was the first coronavirus-related death of a child in the state in six months.

“Every death from COVID-19 in Louisiana has been heartbreaking, but the loss of such a young child, who has yet to be vaccinated, is tragic and a stark reminder of the difficult circumstances in which we find ourselves in all. Louisiana, ”Governor John Bel said. Edwards said in a statement.

Thirty-one percent of the new cases reported by the state on Wednesday were in people under the age of 18, with 63 children hospitalized in health centers in the last week alone, health officials said. State.

At least 11 children have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, the department said.

Public health officer Joseph Kanter called the baby’s death “heartbreaking” and reminded residents that getting the vaccine is the best way to protect against the virus.

“The best way to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our young children who are not eligible for vaccination, is to get vaccinated and to wear a mask. It really is that simple, ”Kanter said.

The state, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, has reported the highest number of deaths since the first wave in spring 2020 – with a majority of deaths among people who have not yet been fully vaccinated, reported The Advocate.

There have been 12,226 COVID-related deaths in the state, according to the state.