'Healthy' toddler, 2, dies from Covid in Sydney
A previously healthy two-year-old child has died after battling a Covid infection, as NSW records a spike in the number of virus-related hospitalisations.
The toddler, from Sydney, became “very sick” on Wednesday and was admitted to hospital before succumbing to the illness on Friday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The child was one of four people to die from the virus in the latest reporting period.
"Tragically, a previously well two-year-old child from Sydney died at The Children's Hospital at Westmead due to COVID-19 infection," NSW Health said in a statement on Monday.
"NSW Health asks for the privacy of this child's family to be respected during this most difficult time."
Of the three adults who died with the virus, one was in their 70s, one was in their 80s, and one was in their 90s.
Children under the age of five are currently ineligible for a Covid vaccination.
NSW recorded 14,970 new cases of Covid on Sunday, while the number of people hospitalised with the virus spiked by 39.
There are currently 1163 patients in NSW hospitals, with 34 in intensive care.
Two Covid patients have also died in Queensland, while Victoria recorded no new virus-related deaths for the second day in a row.
COVID-19 update – Monday 21 March 2022
In the 24-hour reporting period to 4pm yesterday:
- 96% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 94.5% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/U4Yi6lDiQz— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) March 20, 2022
$13 million campaign to push booster shots
The federal government announced it will launch a $13 million campaign to get Covid booster jabs into arms as winter approaches.
More than 6.3 million eligible Aussies are yet to be boostered, while 1.1 million children aged between five and 11 are still unvaccinated.
A school holiday vaccination blitz is also being planned and could take place at cinemas and zoos.
with AAP
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