First known child death in US from coronavirus

[LOS ANGELES] The first known death of a child due to the novel coronavirus in the United States was reported on Tuesday, despite the disease not typically proving severe for juveniles.

The death of a "youth under the age of 18" from Lancaster, just north of Los Angeles, was confirmed in a statement by county health officials.

"Covid-19 does not discriminate by age, race or income level," said Los Angeles County public health director Barbara Ferrer, using the scientific term for, the disease caused by the SARS-coV-2 virus.

No further information was given, including the victim's age or sex, or whether they had other health conditions.

Multiple studies have found Covid-19 disproportionately affects older patients and those with underlying conditions.

A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found juveniles "appear to have milder Covid-19 illness," with no intensive care admissions or deaths in the US as of March 16.

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"Similar to reports from other countries, this finding suggests that the risk for serious disease and death from Covid-19 is higher in older age groups," it found.

Only two known cases of minors dying from the disease in China have been recorded. In one case, an infant had a pre-existing intestinal condition. The other's situation was not known.

"The risk for serious disease and death in Covid-19 cases among persons in the United States increases with age," the CDC report added.

California has been one of the worst-hit US states during the pandemic.

Los Angeles County - which is home to 10 million residents - has confirmed 662 cases of coronavirus, with at least 11 deaths.

AFP