Person under 18 dies from the coronavirus in Los Angeles

A person under the age of 18 has died of the novel coronavirus in Los Angeles County, public health officials said Tuesday.

"Each loss we experience in LA County is tragic, and we are sending our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones who've had to endure this tragedy," Barbara Ferrer, the Los Angeles County Public Health Director, said in a statement.

"COVID-19 does not discriminate by age, race, or income level, and what we are seeing in places like New York is indicative of what we should prepare to experience here," Ferrer added.

It was not immediately clear if the person under 18 had a preexisting condition. LA county health officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Los Angeles County reported 128 new cases on Tuesday, for a combined total of 662 cases. Eleven people have died of the coronavirus in the county.

Most of the deaths and severe cases of COVID-19 worldwide have been older adults, and people with preexisting conditions — particularly heart disease, Type II diabetes, and high blood pressure.

"While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date," the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its website. "The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults."

The CDC notes that children diagnosed with the coronavirus generally have mild symptoms, including fever, runny nose, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea.

At least 653 people in the US have died from the new coronavirus as of Tuesday. Roughly 51,000 cases have been reported in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and US territories.

A separate unidentified 18-year-old teen in the UK died from the coronavirus on Monday. The teen, who had underlying health conditions, was believed to be the youngest person to have died from the virus in the country.

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