Taipei, May 27 (CNA) The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported the death of a 12-year-old boy from COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the number of those in Taiwan under the age of 13 to die from the disease to eight.
The CECC also reported that a 5-year-old girl with COVID-19 was currently being treated in an intensive care unit (ICU) for suspected viral encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, making her the 17th individual under the age of 10 to develop severe symptoms of COVID-19.
The 12-year-old boy whose death was reported Friday was a long-term acute care patient suffering from a nervous system disease caused by genetic mutations. He was already on a ventilator prior to contracting COVID-19, Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞), deputy head of the CECC's medical response division, said at a daily press briefing.
According to the CECC, the boy, who was not vaccinated, was confirmed as having COVID-19 on May 21 after developing a fever the day before.
The boy passed away on May 23 from pneumonia and respiratory failure linked to COVID-19, Lo said at the CECC's daily news briefing.
According to the CECC, the 5-year-old girl in intensive care returned a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test result on May 22 after developing a fever of 37.6 degrees Celsius.
After developing additional COVID-19 symptoms including vomiting, muscle spasticity, and loss of consciousness, the girl was admitted to intensive care.
Hospital staff then treated her with drugs and performed intubation to relieve respiratory distress, Lo said.
She has since been taken off artificial ventilation following an improvement in her condition, but is still being treated with high-flow nasal cannula therapy at the ICU, Lo said.
Of the seven other deaths of individuals under the age of 18 with COVID-19, five had encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, one died of septic shock, while one was ruled as caused by COVID-19 despite doctors being unable to determine exactly how the disease progressed.
Related News
May 27: Taiwan reports 94,855 new COVID-19 cases, 126 deaths
May 27: COVID to remain at 'high but stable plateau' for 2 weeks: health minister
May 27: Taiwan to offer free rapid COVID tests to children aged 6 or younger
May 26: Two children under 5 die from COVID-19 complications
![Taiwan reports 32,681 new COVID-19 cases, 88 deaths]()
Taiwan reports 32,681 new COVID-19 cases, 88 deathsTaiwan reported 32,681 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, all but 114 of which were domestic infections, and 88 deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command ...07/03/2022 03:21 PM![Taiwan to receive 450,000 Moderna vaccine doses for under-6s next week]()
Taiwan to receive 450,000 Moderna vaccine doses for under-6s next weekTaiwan will take delivery of 450,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine next week for use in vaccinating 900,000 children aged between 6 months and 5 years, according to the ...07/02/2022 07:49 PM![Taiwan reports 34,827 new COVID-19 cases, 96 deaths]()
Taiwan reports 34,827 new COVID-19 cases, 96 deathsTaiwan reported 34,827 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, with all but 79 being domestic infections, and 96 deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center ...07/02/2022 03:32 PM
- Society
Orchid Island coral graffiti sparks online uproar
07/03/2022 08:59 PM - Culture
Exhibit of Taiwanese Hsu Ching-yuan's photos to open in France Monday
07/03/2022 08:38 PM - Sports
Jeffrey Koo, Jr. elected Baseball Federation of Asia president
07/03/2022 07:37 PM - Sports
Taiwan knocked out of FIBA World Cup qualifiers with drubbing from Japan
07/03/2022 06:31 PM - Sports
Taiwan's Lin Kuan-ju wins gold in women's IAU ultramarathon event
07/03/2022 05:59 PM