California health officials have reported the state’s first coronavirus death of a child.
The state Department of Public Health said Friday the victim was a teenager, had other health conditions and died in the Central Valley. Officials released no other details, citing privacy rules.
The state’s death toll surpassed 9,000 on Friday, and three-quarters were 65 and older. Only about 9% of California’s half-million confirmed virus cases are children, and very few have suffered conditions serious enough for hospitalization.
Scientists still aren’t certain why children don’t seem to be as seriously affected by the virus as adults.
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In March, Los Angeles County officials said a 17-year-old boy had died from the virus. At the time it was believed to be the first death of a child but days later local health officials walked back the initial finding, saying it was possible he died from something else.
