Coronavirus COVID-19 computer generated image. (Getty Images)
Health officials confirmed Wednesday that the coronavirus killed another Louisiana child, bringing the state’s pediatric death toll to 16.
The Louisiana Department of Health reported 99 new COVID-19 deaths for the day, including the child who was between the ages of 12 and 17, according to a health department press release.
The news marks the second pediatric death in the state in less than a week and the seventh pediatric death of the fourth surge, which began mid-July with the emergence of the Delta variant. In total, the virus has killed 13,657 people in Louisiana, including 16 children younger than 18 as of Wednesday.
“Just five days ago, our hearts were heavy as we mourned the sixth child to lose their life to COVID-19 in this surge,” State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter said. “Here we are once more, grieving as another promising young life ends too soon. It’s incumbent upon all of us to get the vaccine and wear a mask to protect ourselves and one another, including our children.”
The health department is releasing no further information about the case.
Gov. John Bel Edwards mentioned the child’s death in a tweet and said: “We must do better. Wear your mask and get vaccinated.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 12 and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
Related News
