HALIFAX — COVID-19 has claimed the life of a young child in Nova Scotia.
Health officials confirmed today the victim was between the ages of five and 11, but no other details were released.
Premier Tim Houston issued a statement expressing his condolences, adding that the loss of a child is something no family should ever have to endure.
Meanwhile, the province is reporting 10 new hospital admissions and 12 discharges.
As of Friday, there were 82 people in hospital who were admitted because of COVID-19 and are receiving care in a designated unit — and that includes 11 people in intensive care.
Of the 82 people in hospital, 76 were admitted during the Omicron wave, and one of them is only four years old.
Just over 62 per cent of those in hospital are fully vaccinated with two or three doses of vaccine, and 38 per cent are unvaccinated, even though this group represent less than 10 per cent of Nova Scotians.
"It is never easy reporting a death, especially when it is someone so young," Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, said in a statement. "Today's death continues to highlight the seriousness of a disease that knows no bounds and the importance of getting vaccinated to protect yourself and those around you."
Health officials also confirmed there are two other groups of people in hospital related to COVID-19.
A total 129 patients were identified as positive upon arrival at hospital but were admitted for another medical reasons, or were admitted for COVID-19 but no longer require specialized care. Another 144 people contracted COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2022.
The Canadian Press
