4-Year-Old Child Dies From COVID In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A 4-year-old child from Western Riverside County recently died after contracting COVID-19, becoming the youngest person in the county to die from the virus since the pandemic started, county officials announced Friday.

The child had no underlying health issues, the officials said.

The death took place during the first week of August, but health officials reported the cause of death this week after receiving confirmation from the coroner’s office. The name of the child and city of residence are not being released.

“Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family, friends and others who are impacted by the death of this child,” said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County. “This tragedy reminds us that this virus does not discriminate between the young and old. The death of this child strengthens our commitment to halt this pandemic before the loss of another young life.”

According to health officials, there have been 4,727 COVID-19-related deaths in Riverside County since the start of the pandemic, a rise of eight since Thursday's report from Riverside University Health System. The vast majority of the deaths have involved those over 30 years of age, but there have been a handful of people 24 and younger who have died from the virus – some with underlying health issues. The death count for that age group is 23 as of Friday, according to RUHS data.

“It is simply heartbreaking that COVID-19 has taken the life of someone so young. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with the child’s family at this most difficult time,” said Supervisor Karen Spiegel, Chair of the Board. “This loss reminds us all that protecting those in our community not yet eligible for vaccinations, including children under 12, should be our top priority.”

County health officials have said face masks and vaccination among eligible populations can help protect those who are vulnerable. To date, 46,992 COVID-19 cases have been reported in kids ages 0-17; in the 18-24 age group, 45,305 cases have been reported, according to RUHS.

Few school districts in Riverside County are providing a public view of how many COVID-19 cases are cropping up on their campuses.

The Palm Springs Unified School District is, however. On Friday, the district reported more than 100 active COVID-19 cases among students and staffers. According to the district's online case tracker, 91 students and 12 staff members across 27 schools have tested positive for COVID-19. Only four of the 27 schools have no active COVID-19 cases.

The district updates the case tracker website daily and breaks down case numbers per school, distinguishing between cases involving students and staff. Once a case is no longer considered active, it is removed from the district's tracker.

RUHS reported Friday that the number of people hospitalized for COVID countywide was 660, an increase of eight patients since Thursday. Of that 660 figure, 137 patients were being treated in intensive care units, an increase of two over the previous day.

Officials said the total number of COVID cases recorded since the pandemic began in March 2020 was 332,499, compared to 331,416 on Thursday.