3-Week-Old Newborn Dies from COVID-19 in Qatar

Qatar Ministry of Health: "No Other Diseases or Genetic Disorders"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Amid rising COVID-19 cases in the Middle East, AFP reported on the 16th (local time) that an infant in Qatar died after being infected with COVID-19.

The Qatar Ministry of Health announced in a statement that day, "Unfortunately, a 3-week-old baby who was born was infected with COVID-19 and passed away." The Ministry explained, "This is the second case of an infant dying from COVID-19, and the infant who died this time had no other illnesses or genetic disorders."

Although the fatality rate is generally lower among younger people than the elderly, the Ministry of Health added that recently many children in Qatar have been infected with COVID-19 and are receiving treatment.

As of that day, Qatar reported 4,021 new daily confirmed cases and 2 deaths. The COVID-19 vaccination completion rate (two or more doses) in Qatar is about 86.7%.

AFP reported that while it is rare for children to die from COVID-19 infection, related cases have been reported in several countries.