Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
News

Central Valley Teen Is First Young Person To Die From COVID-19 In State

The Venice Beach boardwalk was missing the usual international tourists but still drew plenty of locals.(Josie Huang/LAist)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

A teenager in the Central Valley has died from COVID-19, according to California health officials. This is the first death of a young person from the virus in the state.

This person was between ages 12 and 17, but the state won’t provide more exact information due to patient confidentiality. Authorities said the teen did have underlying health conditions.

The Fresno Bee reported that officials at Valley Children's Hospital in Madera on Friday confirmed that a pediatric COVID-19 patient died earlier in the week.

In California, people under 18 make up 9% of cases, while people ages 18 to 34 make up 35%. People ages 35 to 49 account for an additional 25% of cases. There have been no reported deaths in children under age 12.

Initially, the virus was thought to mostly pose a threat to older adults. Health officials in several California counties have said young people going to beaches and backyard parties is a main cause of the recent uptick.


OVERALL LOOK AT CALIFORNIA COVID-19 DEATHS:

Sponsored message

Here's a look at longer-term trends in the state. To see more, visit our California COVID-19 Tracker and choose L.A. County or any other California county that interests you. These numbers are current as of Saturday, Aug. 1:


WE ARE HERE TO HELP: HOW TO (NEW) LA

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today