Second child this week in eastern Virginia dies of COVID-19

A child aged 0 to 9 has died from complications from COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health has confirmed.

The identity of the child has not been disclosed to protect the privacy of his family.

The child’s death occurs after a 10 year old Suffolk girl died of complications from COVID-19 this week. Teresa Sperry, a fifth-grader at Hillpoint Elementary School, died at the King’s Daughters Children’s Hospital on Monday after a five-day battle with COVID-19.

Although health experts say complications from COVID-19 in children are relatively rare, a 17-year-old girl in Norfolk also died complications from COVID-19 in August.

While hospitalization rates for children 11 and under are at their highest since the start of the pandemic, CDC says, health experts say serious complications from COVID-19 in children are relatively rare.

“First of all, I would like to reassure parents and tell them that the incidence of serious illness in children is extremely, extremely low,” Dr Danny Avula told WTVR-TV in Richmond.

“So while children see higher rates of COVID infection, it is very rare that they develop serious illness.”

Dr Avula encouraged parents to immunize their eligible children for the vaccine.

“And then I think to remind our children that COVID is still there and that although most children will do well, there is a small percentage of children who will develop a more serious illness,” he said. for follow-up. “So, to continue to encourage the wearing of masks certainly in schools where it is compulsory, but even when you go to restaurants, to the grocery store or in a public place, making our young children wear masks is a real element. important to protect them. “