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Seattle Children’s reports first patient death from COVID

Aug 31, 2021, 10:27 PM | Updated: Sep 1, 2021, 6:26 am

Seattle Children's, measles, mold...

(KIRO 7, file photo)

(KIRO 7, file photo)

Seattle Children’s has confirmed one of its patients has died from COVID-19.

Dr. John McGuire, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at Seattle Children’s Hospital, released the following statement:

We are saddened to confirm that the first patient death from COVID-19 at Seattle Children’s occurred last week, despite the extraordinary efforts of the care team. This hits all of us close to home, and the patient and family are in the thoughts and hearts of the Seattle Children’s community. For privacy reasons, we cannot share any additional information at this time.

McGuire did not provide any other details about the patient’s age, vaccination status, or health conditions.

Dr. Scott Lindquist, state epidemiologist, said “this is a preventable death” when asked about a potential child’s death during a briefing last week.

According to data from the state Department of Health, 11 children now have died of COVID-19 in Washington state since the pandemic began.

    • 1 child in Pierce County in July 2020
    • 1 child in King County in July 2020
    • 1 child in Benton County in November 2020
    • 1 child in Franklin County in November 2020
    • 1 child in King County in November 2020
    • 1 child in Spokane County in November 2020
    • 1 child in Grays Harbor County in January 2021
    • 1 child in King County in April 2021
    • 1 child in Spokane County in April 2021
    • 1 child in Thurston County in April 2021
    • 1 child in King County in August 2021

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 22.4% of weekly cases across the United States (between Aug. 19 – Aug. 26) were among children. Over two weeks, Aug. 12 – Aug. 26, there was a 9% increase in the cumulated number of child COVID-19 cases, the AAP reports.

Doctors: Washington likely needs 85-90% vaccination to defeat delta

Children under 12 years old are not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and the timeline for an approved vaccination for young people is not yet clear. Dr. Anthony Fauci told the “Today Show” last week that there was a “reasonable chance” the vaccine would be ready by mid- to late-fall or early winter, according to the New York Times. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s timeline was later, telling CNN that authorization may not come until the end of the year.

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Seattle Children’s reports first patient death from COVID