The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced the first pediatric death associated with COVID-19 in South Carolina on Saturday.
Officials say the child was under the age of five and was from the Midlands region.
“Today, we mourn the loss of one of our children to this virus. It is heart-wrenching to lose a child under any circumstances, and especially so during a time when we have all lost so much already,” said Dr. Joan Duwve, DHEC Public Health Director.
"Our state is in a dire situation and we will continue to mourn the loss of parents, grandparents, children, friends and neighbors until each and every one of us steps up to do what is right, not just for ourselves but for others. No one is immune to this deadly disease, but we each have the power to impact the path this pandemic takes in South Carolina. Choosing to wear a mask and maintain physical distance today will not only help change the course of the pandemic in South Carolina, it will help save the lives of those around us.”
Saturday also marked the highest number of reported positive cases of COVID-19 at 2,239, the highest reported in a day by more than 300 cases.