First Virginia Child Under 10 Dies From COVID-19 Complications

VIRGINIA — The Virginia Department of Health on Thursday reported the state's first death of a child under the age of 10 with COVID-19. The child died from complications of a chronic health condition and COVID-19, the health department said.

The state said it will not disclose any further information about the child to protect their privacy and out of respect for the child's family.

“Our heartfelt condolences are extended to the family and friends of this child,” State Health Commissioner Norman Oliver said Thursday in a statement.

While fewer cases of COVID-19 are reported in children compared with adults, children are not immune to the disease, Oliver said. Across the country, there have been more than 80 COVID-19 deaths among children under 5 years old and more than 180 COVID-19 deaths among children 5 to 17 years old.

The child's death will be reflected on the health department's COVID-19 data dashboard on Friday.

Thursday's average was 52,455 vaccine doses administered per day. Local health departments lead with 660,707 total doses given, followed by hospitals with 615,333 total doses, medical practices with 258,600, long-term care facilities with 241,996, community health providers with 206,770 and pharmacies with 138,917.

COVID-19 Deaths Drop Significantly

After reporting a record 383 deaths on Wednesday, the VDH added 31 deaths to the total on Thursday. Only two deaths were reported in Northern Virginia on Thursday.

VDH had been adding a large number of deaths in recent days as it processes 2021 death certificates associated with the post-holiday surge of cases. The cumulative total of deaths is 9,357 as of Thursday.

On Thursday, 1,300 new coronavirus cases were reported in Virginia, bringing the cumulative total to 580,108.

Current hospitalizations stand at 1,265 statewide, according to the VDH. There are 284 COVID-19 patients in the intensive care units and 184 on ventilators. Ventilator use among all hospital patients is at 31 percent, and ICU occupancy is at 79 percent, according to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association.

The seven-day average of positive PCR tests stands at 6.3 percent statewide as of Feb. 28, down from a peak of 17.4 percent on Jan. 3. Northern Virginia's average is 6.3 percent on Feb. 28, compared to a winter peak of 16.6 percent on Jan. 2.

An average of 21,421 testing encounters are reported daily, down from a peak of 35,028 on Jan. 14.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area from Wednesday to Thursday:

• Alexandria: 10,389 cases, 511 hospitalizations, 123 deaths; increase of five cases
• Arlington County: 13,294 cases, 776 hospitalizations, 235 deaths; increase of 39 cases and one hospitalization
• Fairfax County: 67,192 cases, 3,529 hospitalizations, 985 deaths; increase of 189 cases and one hospitalization
• Fairfax City: 492 cases, 37 hospitalizations, 13 deaths; no changes
• Falls Church: 352 cases, 20 hospitalizations, eight deaths; increase of one death, one case removed
• Loudoun County: 23,272 cases, 879 hospitalizations, 250 deaths; increase of 51 cases, one hospitalization and one death
• Manassas: 4,018 cases, 162 hospitalizations, 41 deaths; increase of six cases
• Manassas Park: 1,127 cases, 66 hospitalizations and 11 deaths; no changes
• Prince William County: 39,667 cases, 1,396 hospitalizations, 442 deaths; increase of 97 cases, five hospitalizations and one death
• Fredericksburg: 1,788 cases, 93 hospitalizations, 22 deaths; increase of three cases
• Spotsylvania County: 8,385 cases, 283 hospitalizations, 102 deaths; increase of 18 cases
• Stafford County: 9,653 cases, 311 hospitalizations, 68 deaths; increase of nine cases