Child deaths from COVID-19 remain rare, but not impossible

FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. — The death of a 13-year-old in north Georgia is a reminder to parents across the state that while it’s unlikely their child could die from COVID-19, it’s not impossible.

The Coosa High School student’s death is just the tenth among 10-17 years in the whole state since the start of the pandemic.

His death serves as a tragic reminder that children are not entirely protected from the virus.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Pediatricians and state public health officials have had their eyes on rising COVID-19 numbers among children for weeks.

According to state data, the number of cases have spiked across the state since July.

Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey says that half of the 170 outbreaks in the state can be linked back to a school.

“The schools are a site where there is COVID transmission going on. And we’re working hard with the superintendents to try to address these issues in the schools,” she said.

TRENDING STORIES:

• 13-year-old north Georgia student dies from COVID-19, coroner says
• Braves star Albies carried away after fouling ball off knee
• Coach at Alpharetta school charged with child porn

The Floyd County coroner says the teenager battled COVID-19 for a week until his father noticed he had stopped breathing. He died just hours later from respiratory complications.

“He had no other health issues that were known. And he just could not make it through the COVID virus,” Floyd County Coroner Harold Proctor said.

Diedra Howard, a parent in Floyd County, says that her prayers are with the family, but she is also concerned about the safety of her own child.

“Almost every other day, I’m getting a phone call or a text message saying that my child was exposed to COVID,” Howard told Channel 2′s Matt Johnson.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

More than 19,000 Georgians have died from the virus. One of those deaths was a child between the ages of 1 and 4. Two children between the ages of 5 and 9 died. 10 children between the ages of 10 and 17 passed away because of the virus.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Grady Hospital to receive COVID staff support from the Georgia National Guard Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is sending National Guard men and women to area hospitals reaching maximum capacity of COVID patients. (WSB-TV)

©2021 Cox Media Group