Infant dies of COVID-19 in Louisiana, LDH reports

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (WAFB) – Officials from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) report the death of an infant from COVID-19 on Wednesday, August 25.

The baby was less than a year old, authorities said.

This is the first death in the state of a child from COVID-19 in six months, according to the LDH.

State health officials on Wednesday reported 110 deaths from COVID-19 and the highest single-day death toll on Tuesday, August 24 with 139 Louisiana residents.

LDH officials say a total of 11 children under the age of 18 have died from COVID-19 in Louisiana.

As of Wednesday, 31% of new COVID-19 cases reported in Louisiana were in children under the age of 18, according to the LDH.

“Every death from COVID-19 in Louisiana has been heartbreaking, but the loss of such a young child, who could not yet be vaccinated, is tragic and a stark reminder of the predicament we find ourselves in all of Louisiana . Right now we are seeing young people hospitalized. They become sicker than in the previous wave and unfortunately some of them may die. Already this week we have confirmed 6,146 cases of COVID in children and last week 63 pediatric cases of COVID were admitted to hospital. Even children who are not hospitalized or very ill are contagious, ”said Governor John Bel Edwards. “The Delta variant, which now represents all cases of COVID in our state, is far more contagious than previous strains of COVID, as our overloaded hospitals prove. We have hope in the form of safe and effective vaccines, but only if many of us are eligible and able to actually take them and only if we slow the spread of this disease through masking and distancing as well. All Louisianans, regardless of their age or state of health, deserve our care and attention. Every person lost to this virus, young or old, leaves a hole in the fabric of our communities. “

“This is heartbreaking news,” he said. Dr Joseph Kanter, head of public health. “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 the impact of this virus. The best way to protect ourselves, our loved ones and young children who are not eligible for the vaccine, is to get vaccinated and wear a mask. It really is that simple.

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