First Child Death Related To COVID-19 Reported In New Hampshire

NEW HAMPSHIRE — The first child in New Hampshire to have died from complications related to COVID-19 was reported by health officials Monday.

The child died in September in another state and was identified after COVID-19 was listed as the cause of death on the death certificate, health officials said.

Because the child was under the age of 18, the child's name and age have not been released, but health officials said the child was too young to have been vaccinated.

Vaccines were approved for children ages 12-15 back in May but were not approved for 5-11 year-olds until November.

"We are all saddened by this loss and give our condolences to the family," Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state's epidemiologist, said in a statement. "It continues to be important for us all to take steps to protect those who are not yet able to be vaccinated, and those who are vulnerable and at risk for severe COVID-19."

Coronavirus case numbers are climbing as the omicron variant reaches New England just before the start of the busy Holiday season.

Just last week, New Hampshire health officials said the state had more than 10,000 active infections for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

A new mask mandate went into effect for Keene Monday and the Concord City Council created a committee to study the issue and reconsider a proposal to implement a new mandate last Tuesday to try and combat a recent uptick in cases.