RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The first baby death stemming from coronavirus
complications was confirmed today in Riverside County.

According to the Riverside University Health System, the infant death
occurred recently after the tot had been hospitalized and diagnosed with COVID-
19, though officials did not say whether there were other health problems
impacting the victim, whose identity, including gender and exact age, were not
disclosed.

“Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the parents, family and others
who are impacted by this tragedy,” county Public Health Officer Dr.
Geoffrey Leung said “This loss reminds us that this virus does not
discriminate between the young and old.”

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff Hewitt echoed the public health
officer’s sentiments, saying it was “devastating to learn about the passing of
this infant life. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family.”

Officials said that the loss is a reminder of the need for precautions
to minimize the chances of virus exposure.

According to RUHS, the total number of deaths countywide from virus-
related complications now stands at 5,661, going back to March 2020. The count
is up 13 from Wednesday.

RUHS said that, with the baby’s death, a total of five residents under
18 years old have died from complications in some way tied to COVID over
the last 22 months. The percentage total, based on the aggregate death count,
is .0008832%, which dovetails with data published by the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention showing pediatric COVID cases represent the
smallest segment of the national population threatened by the virus.

Meanwhile, general COVID-related hospitalizations crept up, while
intensive care unit cases dropped slightly. According to health officials, the
total number of people currently hospitalized with a coronavirus diagnosis was
976 on Thursday, up 33 from Wednesday, and that includes 145 ICU patients —
down 11 from a day earlier.

Emergency Management Director Bruce Barton told the Board of
Supervisors Tuesday that, in recent weeks, only 28% of individuals passing
through emergency rooms were diagnosed with COVID-19. He didn’t list the other
illnesses for which people have been seeking treatment, but he noted that
“there’s a larger non-COVID census laying on top of that COVID patient load.”

RUHS said the aggregate number of COVID cases recorded since the
public health documentation period began is 422,084. Wednesday’s number was
420,445.

The number of known active virus cases countywide was 16,107, on
Thursday, up 252 from the day prior. The active count is derived by subtracting
deaths and recoveries from the current total — 422,084 — according to the
county Executive Office. Verified patient recoveries countywide are 400,316.

CNS-01-13-2022 13:44

Infant Death Caused By COVID-19 In Riverside County