On 17 July, a four-year-old girl died from COVID-19.
This is one of the four deaths reported in Singapore thus far.
According to the Ministry of Health, the Singaporean girl first developed symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection and fever on 15 July.
When she went to a General Practitioner Clinic two days later on a Sunday, she tested positive on her antigen rapid test (ART). The doctor prescribed her some medication, but her condition didn’t improve, and she collapsed later that night.
The mortician then confirmed that the girl died of pneumonia caused by COVID-19.
Prior to the COVID-19 infection, the girl had no other medical history and was in good health.
MOH extends its deepest condolences to the family of the young patient. It has also stated that while children are more resistant to the coronavirus infection than adults and elderly, they can become seriously ill after contracting the disease as well.
This is the second death of a child under the age of 12.
On 27 June, a one-and-a-half-year-old Singaporean boy passed away due to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) caused by COVID-19, as well as respiratory syncytial virus and enterovirus.
MOH, the Health Sciences Authority and the Expert Committee on COVID-19 vaccinations are still studying the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines which have been formulated for young children under the age of five.
The United States’ Food and Drug Administration has just expanded the authorisations for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to include children as young as six months old earlier this year.
Reportedly, the Moderna vaccine is suitable for children between six months and five years old, while the Pfizer vaccine is made for children between six months and four years old.
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Featured Image: Shutterstock / Oleksii Synelnykov