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HAUKELAND: The boy died on Wednesday. Photo: Marit Hommedal / NTB
A boy admitted to Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen died on Wednesday of a covid-related illness, according to the hospital.
The boy had a serious underlying diagnosis, Haukeland writes.
Erik Vigander, Director of Communications for Helse Bergen Haukeland, says that for privacy reasons and the wishes of the family, they cannot comment further on the matter.
According to health authorities, this is the first time that a child has died of covid-19 in Norway. It is the second crown-related death in the 0-39 age group.
– Of course, it is a very sad message. Losing a child is one of the worst things a family, parents, and relatives can experience. It reminds us that the disease can be serious even for children with serious diagnoses, says health director Bjørn Guldvog to VG.
– Does this mean that you have to worry more about your children?
– This does not change anything in our perception of the disease. We also know from other countries that unfortunately this can affect children on rare occasions where there are other serious diagnoses.
HEALTH DIRECTOR: Bjørn Guldvog at the Norwegian Health Directorate. Photo: Ørn E. Borgen
Guldvog believes that death shows that an important part of the work that is done is protecting patients who are at risk:
– The best way to do it is to keep the infection pressure in our country very low. This provides the lowest possible risk of us transmitting infection from the population to those at the highest risk for serious diseases.
Health Minister Bent Høie (H) has also been informed of the death.
– My thoughts and my condolence go to the relatives who are now in the midst of pain and surprised. Losing a child is one of the worst things humans can experience, according to NTB.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) says it is very painful to hear about death.
– I send my warmest thoughts to the family and to all those who have now lost someone they loved, he tells NTB.
The director of FHI: – Reminds us that children can also be affected
Director Camilla Stoltenberg of the National Institute of Public Health tells VG that this is very sad news.
– It is news that reminds us that children can also be affected by the coronavirus. But above all, it makes me think of the child, the family and the people close to the child.
NIPH PRINCIPAL: Camilla Stoltenberg Photo: Mattis Sandblad
Stoltenberg emphasizes that he does not know what underlying diagnosis the child had, but explains that some underlying diseases generally increase the risk of infections.
This can include children with complex disorders such as severe congenital syndromes or severe neurological disorders with a significantly reduced functional level.
– Above all, this is a death that reminds us of seriousness. And that we must comply with the measures to be in control at all times, until we get other solutions, says the director of the NIPH.
She points out that it is very rare for children to become seriously ill and need hospital treatment for Covid-19.
– Even children with some underlying diseases can tolerate the coronavirus. For example, it appears that the common flu is more dangerous for children than the coronavirus. One or two children die each year during normal flu season, Stoltenberg says.
