Pediatric death toll now 18 as coronavirus kills another Louisiana child

Just three days after health officials reported the death of a young child from COVID-19, the coronavirus has claimed another Louisiana child, according to a Louisiana Department of Health release Monday.

The news brings Louisiana’s pediatric death toll to 18 for the entire COVID-19 pandemic in the state.   

The health department said the child was between the ages of 12 and 17 and is the ninth child in Louisiana to die from coronavirus during the fourth surge, which began in early July.

The state reported 39 deaths of all ages on Monday. 

Pediatric infections in Louisiana have increased significantly since August and deaths have been occurring on a near-weekly basis.

On Friday, state health authorities reported the coronavirus killed a child between the ages of 0 and 4.  Just days earlier, Gov. John Bel Edwards had warned the public that health officials have noticed a sharp rise in pediatric infections. 

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said the under 18-year-old age group has emerged as the frontrunner for new COVID-19 cases, accounting for 24% of the state’s active infections. Particularly, 5- to 17-year-olds have accounted for more new infections than any other age group since the week of Aug. 12-18, according to health department data. 

“Since mid-July, we have mourned the loss of a child to COVID nine times,” Kanter said. “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.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 12 and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination. The Pfizer vaccine is available to children 12 and older. Parents are urged to confirm with the vaccine provider that their child is under 18 to ensure the Pfizer vaccine is available before making an appointment.