This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/us/california-coronavirus-death-child.html

The article has changed 31 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 15 Version 16
Teenager’s Death in California Is Linked to Coronavirus Teenager’s Death in California Is Linked to Coronavirus
(17 days later)
Update: The teenager has been dropped from the list of deaths from Covid-19 in Los Angeles County, Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said on Thursday. She said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be completing the investigation of the teenager’s death.Update: The teenager has been dropped from the list of deaths from Covid-19 in Los Angeles County, Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said on Thursday. She said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be completing the investigation of the teenager’s death.
A California teenager whose death was linked to the coronavirus may be one of the youngest victims of the outbreak in the United States.A California teenager whose death was linked to the coronavirus may be one of the youngest victims of the outbreak in the United States.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Tuesday said the death, of a 17-year-old boy from Lancaster, Calif., was from the coronavirus. Hours later, it walked back that statement, saying the death would be further evaluated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Tuesday said the death, of a 17-year-old boy from Lancaster, Calif., was from the coronavirus. Hours later, it walked back that statement, saying the death would be further evaluated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The case is complex and there may be an alternate explanation for this fatality,” the health department said in a statement.“The case is complex and there may be an alternate explanation for this fatality,” the health department said in a statement.
If the cause of death is confirmed as the coronavirus, it would be the first known instance of a minor dying from it in the United States. Some states, including New York, which has the most deaths in the country, have not reported the ages of most victims.If the cause of death is confirmed as the coronavirus, it would be the first known instance of a minor dying from it in the United States. Some states, including New York, which has the most deaths in the country, have not reported the ages of most victims.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said half of the 2,102 people who have tested positive for the virus in California are between the ages of 18 and 49. “It is a reminder to everyone to take this seriously,” he said.Gov. Gavin Newsom said half of the 2,102 people who have tested positive for the virus in California are between the ages of 18 and 49. “It is a reminder to everyone to take this seriously,” he said.
The teenager’s case grew more complicated after it was publicized. Just as the government was showcasing it as an example of why people in California should take the crisis more seriously, health officials were scrambling to get to the bottom of what had happened.The teenager’s case grew more complicated after it was publicized. Just as the government was showcasing it as an example of why people in California should take the crisis more seriously, health officials were scrambling to get to the bottom of what had happened.
Mayor R. Rex Parris of Lancaster said on Tuesday that the 17-year-old did not have pre-existing health conditions and that he was healthy until he started having acute respiratory problems. He was treated at a hospital that released him without testing for the coronavirus, the mayor said.Mayor R. Rex Parris of Lancaster said on Tuesday that the 17-year-old did not have pre-existing health conditions and that he was healthy until he started having acute respiratory problems. He was treated at a hospital that released him without testing for the coronavirus, the mayor said.
“How do you take a kid in for having respiratory problems and you don’t test him?” he said, using a vulgarity. “I am so livid.”“How do you take a kid in for having respiratory problems and you don’t test him?” he said, using a vulgarity. “I am so livid.”
The teenager, whose name has not been released, was then treated at a second hospital, where he died, the mayor said. The positive test results did not come back until after his death, and it was unclear when the test was taken.The teenager, whose name has not been released, was then treated at a second hospital, where he died, the mayor said. The positive test results did not come back until after his death, and it was unclear when the test was taken.
The boy’s father, an Uber driver, is also sick, Mr. Parris said.The boy’s father, an Uber driver, is also sick, Mr. Parris said.
“I’m really upset right now. I thought this was a disease that affected people my age,” said Mr. Parris, 68. “Now I realize our kids are at risk — that’s something totally different.”“I’m really upset right now. I thought this was a disease that affected people my age,” said Mr. Parris, 68. “Now I realize our kids are at risk — that’s something totally different.”
He said that children in Lancaster are now ordered to stay at home, and that if they were found outside, they would be taken back to their homes. “We are enforcing the law in Lancaster,” he said. “I will not lose another child.”He said that children in Lancaster are now ordered to stay at home, and that if they were found outside, they would be taken back to their homes. “We are enforcing the law in Lancaster,” he said. “I will not lose another child.”
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported three deaths linked to the coronavirus, including the teenager, bringing the total number of deaths in the area to 11. Officials said that two people between the ages of 50 and 70, one with underlying heath conditions, had also died.On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported three deaths linked to the coronavirus, including the teenager, bringing the total number of deaths in the area to 11. Officials said that two people between the ages of 50 and 70, one with underlying heath conditions, had also died.
“Each loss we experience in L.A. County is tragic, and we are sending our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones who’ve had to endure this tragedy,” Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “Covid-19 does not discriminate by age, race or income level.”“Each loss we experience in L.A. County is tragic, and we are sending our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones who’ve had to endure this tragedy,” Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “Covid-19 does not discriminate by age, race or income level.”
Updated July 16, 2020
Officials said 256 new cases had been reported across Los Angeles County over the last two days, bringing the total number of cases there to 662. In the United States, as of Tuesday night, there have been at least 53,478 cases of coronavirus confirmed by lab tests and 714 deaths, according to a New York Times database.Officials said 256 new cases had been reported across Los Angeles County over the last two days, bringing the total number of cases there to 662. In the United States, as of Tuesday night, there have been at least 53,478 cases of coronavirus confirmed by lab tests and 714 deaths, according to a New York Times database.
While the risk of dying is significantly higher in older people, C.D.C. data on nearly 2,500 of the first recorded cases in the United States has shown that younger adults made up a significant portion of coronavirus hospitalizations.While the risk of dying is significantly higher in older people, C.D.C. data on nearly 2,500 of the first recorded cases in the United States has shown that younger adults made up a significant portion of coronavirus hospitalizations.
Children are also at risk. In Georgia, a 12-year-old girl who has Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, was placed on a ventilator this week. Officials at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she is in stable condition, said the girl remained in isolation.Children are also at risk. In Georgia, a 12-year-old girl who has Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, was placed on a ventilator this week. Officials at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she is in stable condition, said the girl remained in isolation.
In a Facebook post, the girl’s cousin Justin Anthony wrote that the girl did not have any underlying health issues and that she had initially received a diagnosis of pneumonia. “For those of you that think that kids can’t get Covid-19 … Think Again!!!”In a Facebook post, the girl’s cousin Justin Anthony wrote that the girl did not have any underlying health issues and that she had initially received a diagnosis of pneumonia. “For those of you that think that kids can’t get Covid-19 … Think Again!!!”
The girl’s family, through a representative, declined to comment beyond the post, saying, “We are hoping for good news soon and for her to make a healthy recovery.”The girl’s family, through a representative, declined to comment beyond the post, saying, “We are hoping for good news soon and for her to make a healthy recovery.”
Stephen S. Morse, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, said there was still not enough data to say what effect the pandemic would have on youth. He said, however, that even in an ordinary flu pandemic, some young, otherwise healthy people get very sick or die.Stephen S. Morse, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, said there was still not enough data to say what effect the pandemic would have on youth. He said, however, that even in an ordinary flu pandemic, some young, otherwise healthy people get very sick or die.
“Unfortunately, we won’t know if this is that sort of rare tragic event, or a trend, until we have more data,” Dr. Morse said. “This one has been unusual in that it doesn’t seem to hit young people in the way that other flu pandemics have.”“Unfortunately, we won’t know if this is that sort of rare tragic event, or a trend, until we have more data,” Dr. Morse said. “This one has been unusual in that it doesn’t seem to hit young people in the way that other flu pandemics have.”
Rick Rojas contributed reporting.Rick Rojas contributed reporting.