9-month-old baby who died from COVID had gastroenteritis, pneumonia 

A nine-month-old baby boy is among Guyana’s latest recorded COVID-19 deaths but the baby was also experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis and pneumonia when he passed away. 

According to reliable information provided to the News Room, the baby tested positive for the novel coronavirus on December 19. And, he died on the same day, on his way to the hospital in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne). 

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasites. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in your lungs and may cause difficulties breathing and even death. 

There have been several children who died after they were infected with COVID-19. An 11-year-old cancer patient who died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on November 6, 2020, was later classified as a COVID-19 death.

On November 29, 2020, a 6-day old baby boy of Region Three died while receiving care at a medical facility.

In May, this year, a young 17-year-old boy also succumbed after he was infected with COVID-19.

And in July, a 16-year-old boy, who was receiving treatment in the ICU, also died.

In September, the 17-year-old boy from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), also died after being infected with COVID-19 but had several underlying conditions and suffered a heart attack.

Then in October, a seven-month-old baby boy and a four-year-old boy, both from Region One died.

And, in November, a five-year-old boy, who was also diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease, passed away after being infected with the novel coronavirus too.