SINGAPORE: A one-and-a-half-year-old Singaporean boy who contracted the coronavirus died on Monday (Jun 27), becoming the country's first COVID-19 death under the age of 12.
“The cause of death was Encephalitis due to COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Enterovirus infections,” said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a media release, adding that the patient had no other past medical history and was previously well.
The Health Ministry said the child was at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) Children’s Emergency Department on the night of Jun 21 with high fever and recurrent seizures, with a subsequent drop in consciousness.
“He was admitted to the Children’s Intensive Care Unit in critical condition on Jun 22, and was diagnosed with severe Meningoencephalitis. The polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) for the patient was positive for COVID-19 as well as two other viruses – Rhinovirus/Enterovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus,” said MOH.
The Health Ministry said COVID-19 can result in severe disease, even in children and those without pre-existing medical conditions.
Vaccination substantially reduces the likelihood of severe disease when one is infected.
“All children aged five to 11 years are recommended to be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine, especially children with underlying chronic medical conditions.
“MOH, the Health Sciences Authority and the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination will study the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines that have been formulated for young children under the age of five once the dossier is submitted to us for evaluation by the manufacturers,” said the ministry.
“MOH extends our deepest condolences to the patient’s family. We understand that KKH is in contact with the family to provide the necessary support.”
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“The cause of death was Encephalitis due to COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Enterovirus infections,” said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a media release, adding that the patient had no other past medical history and was previously well.
The Health Ministry said the child was at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) Children’s Emergency Department on the night of Jun 21 with high fever and recurrent seizures, with a subsequent drop in consciousness.
“He was admitted to the Children’s Intensive Care Unit in critical condition on Jun 22, and was diagnosed with severe Meningoencephalitis. The polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) for the patient was positive for COVID-19 as well as two other viruses – Rhinovirus/Enterovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus,” said MOH.
The Health Ministry said COVID-19 can result in severe disease, even in children and those without pre-existing medical conditions.
Vaccination substantially reduces the likelihood of severe disease when one is infected.
“All children aged five to 11 years are recommended to be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine, especially children with underlying chronic medical conditions.
“MOH, the Health Sciences Authority and the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination will study the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines that have been formulated for young children under the age of five once the dossier is submitted to us for evaluation by the manufacturers,” said the ministry.
“MOH extends our deepest condolences to the patient’s family. We understand that KKH is in contact with the family to provide the necessary support.”
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