NH Records First Pediatric COVID-19 Related Death
New Hampshire has its first pediatric COVID-19 related death as the Omicron variant becomes the dominant strain across the country.
The child died in another state in September and was identified after COVID-19 was listed as a cause of death on the recently finalized death certificate. The state did not disclose where the child's gender or age. The child was too young as to have received the COVID-19 vaccination, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
“We are all saddened by this loss and give our condolences to the family,” state Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said in a statement. “It continues to be important for us all to take steps to protect those who are not yet able to be vaccinated, and those who are vulnerable and at risk for severe COVID-19.”
The report of the death comes as the number of positive cases continues to be level with 436 hospitalizations, 8,504 active cases as of Monday and 7 deaths.
The CDC reported Monday that the Omicron varient now accounts for 73.2 percent of cases in the United States, a leap considering only 12% of the cases were attributed to the variant the week before. However, in New England Delta is still dominant with 62% of the total cases.
President Joe Biden will address the nation Tuesday evening about his administration's next steps to address the spread of the Omicron variant. He will likely not impose any mandates or lockdowns of the country, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
"This is not a speech about locking the country down. This is a speech outlining and being direct and clear with the American people about the benefits of being vaccinated, the steps we’re going to take to increase access and to increase testing, and the risks posed to unvaccinated individuals," Psaki said.
Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH