Child aged under three dies with Covid-19

A child aged under three who was infected with Covid-19 has died in South Australia.

A child aged under three years who was infectious with Covid-19 has died in South Australia.

The state’s chief public health officer, Nicola Spurrier, addressed the media with the “tragic” news on Thursday afternoon and passed on her condolences to the child’s family.

The child is the third person aged under five to die from the virus in the state.

Since November 23 last year, 89,098 children under the age of 11 had tested positive.

The cause of the death is yet to be determined following a referral to the Coroner.

Chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier fronted the media with the ‘tragic’ news that a child under three who tested positive to Covid-19 had died. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Professor Spurrier reminded the public that Covid-19 in children was usually mild and they rarely had symptoms.

She said the child was previously well with mild respiratory symptoms.

“It is a very rare occurrence but unfortunately this is a nasty virus … if we’re all vaccinated, the rate (of transmission) will be lower in the community,” Professor Spurrier said.

“It is very tragic to have to report this to South Australians today and my deepest sympathy to this child’s family.

“I know parents who hear this news would be pretty worried and concerned that something may happen to their young child if they catch Covid and the best thing they can do is to make sure everybody else in the family is vaccinated.

“This vaccine is lifesaving and it’s important that as many people as possible, including children, are vaccinated.”

A woman in her 90s, one man in his 70s, two men in their 80s and one man in his 90s also died after they tested positive.

Professor Spurrier said it was a ‘very rare occurrence’ but encouraged more people to get vaccinated. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Professor Spurrier also encouraged more members of the public to get their booster shot.

Currently, 72.8 per cent of eligible South Australians have had their third jab, while 93.9 per cent have had their second.

The state recorded 2983 new cases on Thursday and currently has 15,960 active cases.