Child Dies Of COVID-19, 1st Death In Austin-Travis County

Austin TX

31 August, 2021

2:32 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — A child battling COVID-19 died over the weekend marking the first child virus-related death in the county since the pandemic begun, according to Austin-Travis County officials. In a news conference on Tuesday, County Health Director Dr. Desmar Walkes said the child had previous health conditions and had been on a ventilator for over a month before dying over the weekend due to COVID-19 complications. Walkes said hospitalizations have increased overall in children. "There's an increase in the number of admissions of pediatric cases, those under the age of 18," Walkes said. "And for the period of July 1 to Aug. 29, we had 108 admissions to [the] hospital from pediatric cases and 33 of those have been admitted to ICU." KVUE reports the Texas Department of State Health Services have released the number of children currently in the hospital with COVID-19. As of Monday, the TV station reports there are 15 children in the 11-county Trauma Service Area (TSA) who are in the hospital with coronavirus. Walkes said Tuesday there has been a "marked increase in school cases" across the state with schools reopening and not using the mitigation efforts that were in place last year. Last week, Williamson County health officials recommendedLeander ISD close its doors for 10 days after the district reported 400 new COVID-19 cases among students and staff. However, despite the county's recommendation, the district said it would keep schools open. The district along with Round Rock ISD have closed down classrooms that have seen an increase in COVID-19 infections. Most of the schools affected were elementary schools. RELATED COVERAGE:Leander ISD Will Host COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic On Sept. 2 3 Round Rock ISD Classrooms Will Close For 10 Days Due To COVID 2nd Austin PD Officer Dies Of COVID-19