Child died of COVID over weekend at Le Bonheur
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital confirmed Monday, Aug. 23 that a child died over the weekend of COVID-19. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital confirmed late Monday, Aug. 23, that a child died over the weekend of COVID-19.
“The Delta variant has hit children harder than any of the other variants since the start of the pandemic. It is important that we all follow Shelby County Health Department’s guidance. We encourage all eligible people over the age of 12 to get vaccinated, wear masks and social distance in public and practice good handwashing,” said Dr. Barry Gilmore, chief medical officer.
“We want to do everything we can to keep kids from getting COVID-19 and having to come to the hospital.”
This was the fifth child connected to Le Bonheur that has died of COVID, including a child in Arkansas several weeks ago who died before being transported to Memphis. All of the children have been from the tri-state area.
Le Bonheur would not comment on their ages or hometowns.
On Monday, Aug. 23, Tennessee had 73.3 daily COVID cases per 100,000 people, the fifth-highest rate in the nation, according to CovidActNow.com. Mississippi ranked No. 1 with 120.5 cases per 100,000 people.
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Le Bonheur Children's HospitalJane Roberts
Longtime journalist Jane Roberts is a Minnesotan by birth and a Memphian by choice. She's lived and reported in the city more than two decades. She covers business news and features for The Daily Memphian.
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