PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — A Lakewood girl under 10 years of age has become the first child to die due to COVID-19 in Pierce County, health officials reported Friday.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said the girl died on Jan. 30 and had multiple underlying health conditions.
“This sad news of this young girl’s death reminds us that we need to use all the best public health practices to protect each other from COVID-19,“ said Director of Health Dr. Anthony L-T Chen.
According to the Mayo Clinic, although children are just as likely to be infected with COVID-19 as adults, cases are less likely to become severe.
"Every time you lose a child to a preventable disease or mildly preventable disease, it's a tragedy,” said pediatrician Dr. Don Shifrin. “What we want for these children is protection and prevention. And the way to do that is to understand that even though children are at low risk, that doesn't mean no risk."
The Mayo Clinic lists these medical conditions that might increase a child's risk of serious illness with COVID-19, including:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Congenital heart disease
- Genetic conditions
- Conditions affecting the nervous system or metabolism
Only 19% of eligible children ages 5-11 are fully vaccinated, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
According to the Washington Department of Health's COVID-19 dashboard, 27% of children ages 5-11 are fully vaccinated statewide.
Families can find more information on youth vaccines on the Washington Department of Health's website.