Health officials report COVID-19-related death of child under 10 in Ontario's Waterloo Region
A child under the age of 10, who Waterloo Region's medical officer of health said had underlying health conditions, has died due to COVID-19.
Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang confirmed the child's death at the region's weekly COVID-19 briefing on Friday morning.
"The child had underlying health conditions," Wang said. "There were no school-related or childcare-related exposures in this case."
Wang said she is not aware of a younger death reported in Ontario to date, and said this is the first death in the under 10 age group in Waterloo Region. However, she didn't provide any further specifics about the age of the child who died.
She said this is a "rare, tragic circumstance" that serves as a "devastating reminder of the serious nature of this virus."
"This is a heartbreaking loss and I wish to express my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and loved ones," Wang added.
Premier Doug Ford tweeted about the death, saying it is "absolutely gut-wrenching."
"My prayers are with the family at this excruciatingly difficult time," his tweet said. "This virus know no bounds. It's why we need every eligible Ontarian to get vaccinated — to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and those who can’t yet get vaccinated against COVID-19."
Health Minister Christine Elliott addressed the death at a press conference on Friday afternoon.
"I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the child in Waterloo Region who passed away due to COVID-19," she said. "This is a truly tragic situation and not only is it a heartbreaking loss to the community, it is also a devastating remind of the serious consequences of COVID. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the friends and family at this time."
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau also addressed the death at a campaign stop in Kitchener on Friday.
"Before I start, I just want to take a moment as a dad, as a leader, as a prime minister, to express my deepest condolences to the Waterloo Region family that just lost their child to COVID," he said. "We've all been heartbroken by that news this morning and they need to know that we all stand with them and are grieving with them through this unbelievably difficult time."
Wang again called on residents to get vaccinated as soon as they are able.
"The best way that we have as a community to protect our children who are not yet vaccinated is to vaccinate all of those around them and to keep up those public health precautions," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.