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THREAD FOR ILLINOIS PARENTS & SCHOOL BOARDS
In 2020, how many pediatric COVID-related deaths were there in Illinois in 2020?
Far as I can tell, 3 or 4.
How about pediatric flu deaths?
8
Letâs take a lookâŠ
In 2020, how many pediatric COVID-related deaths were there in Illinois in 2020?
Far as I can tell, 3 or 4.
How about pediatric flu deaths?
8
Letâs take a lookâŠ
The basis of this analysis is a new CDC file, linked here: https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/AH-Provisional-COVID-19-Deaths-by-Quarter-County-a/ypxr-mz8e
Sorting the data by age, we see three counties showing a non-zero number of 0-17 COVID deaths in 2020: Cook, DeKalb, & Will.
FYI, in this file, 0 means zero, but âblankâ means âbetween 1-9â.
Sorting the data by age, we see three counties showing a non-zero number of 0-17 COVID deaths in 2020: Cook, DeKalb, & Will.
FYI, in this file, 0 means zero, but âblankâ means âbetween 1-9â.
DEKALB CO: This is 1 pediatric death. How do we know? County website only lists 1 https://health.dekalbcounty.org/about/covid-19-dashboard/
In Sept 2020, IDPH announced an infant COVID death. At the time, I spoke w/hospital personnel, who said showed a a suspected COVID death.
Note in prior tweet that death actually occurred in Q2, not in September (if it's the same death). https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/baby-dies-of-covid-19-in-dekalb-county-as-illinois-reports-2120-new-cases-friday/
Note in prior tweet that death actually occurred in Q2, not in September (if it's the same death). https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/baby-dies-of-covid-19-in-dekalb-county-as-illinois-reports-2120-new-cases-friday/
WILL COUNTY: County DPH lists 0 COVID deaths for 0-10, and 2 for 11-19: https://c19-willcountygis.hub.arcgis.com
I tried to find out the exact ages from WDPH, to no avail. We can still say n=2 or less insofar as pediatric goes.
I tried to find out the exact ages from WDPH, to no avail. We can still say n=2 or less insofar as pediatric goes.
Because the death(s) occurred between Oct - December 2020, it means the death of this teen (reported in April 2020) did NOT end up being counted as a COVID death https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/29/will-county-teenager-caitlin-whisnant-dies-from-covid-19/
COOK COUNTY: The county ME publishes all COVID-related deaths. We see 3 listed for 2020, occurring in March, April, and December, respectively. https://datacatalog.cookcountyil.gov/Public-Safety/Medical-Examiner-Case-Archive-COVID-19-Related-Dea/3trz-enys/data
However, the CDC lists Covid 0 deaths in Cook for age 0-17 in Q2, Q3, Q4.
We see non-zero (btw 1-9) listed for Q1.
But the only Cook Co pediatric death in that timeframe was an infant who died in March.
We see non-zero (btw 1-9) listed for Q1.
But the only Cook Co pediatric death in that timeframe was an infant who died in March.
Notably, this infantâs death was investigated twice - the second time at the Governorâs request. While tragic, the death was complicated
P.S. At one point the CCME had listed HIV as a secondary cause for this infant as well, but no longer does
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-infant-coronavirus-death-20200610-blrq4ft575djxji3ai6vu3cx4q-story.html
P.S. At one point the CCME had listed HIV as a secondary cause for this infant as well, but no longer does
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-infant-coronavirus-death-20200610-blrq4ft575djxji3ai6vu3cx4q-story.html
This 12-YO boyâs death, also tragic, is apparently NOT âcountedâ as a COVID death, per the CDC count https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-youngest-virus-victim-20200514-fruc2ziczbar5oqcj2cj7x2vty-story.html
Likewise, this 13-YO male's December 2020 is not included in the CDCâs count for Cook.
Most parents don't realize that IDPH announced 8 pediatric flu deaths in 2020 (Jan & Feb). Another occurred during the 2019-2020 season in December 2019 http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/influenza/surveillance/archive/2019-2020
I don't recall any media coverage or school closures. Do you?
I don't recall any media coverage or school closures. Do you?
In fact, there have been between 2-7 pediatric flu deaths in the past several seasons (Oct - May).
Where was the coverage? @chicagotribune
Why no panic about closing schools? @CTULocal1
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/influenza/surveillance/archive/2019-2020
Where was the coverage? @chicagotribune
Why no panic about closing schools? @CTULocal1
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/influenza/surveillance/archive/2019-2020
I'm not sure how many times it needs to be said that while flu rarely kills children, even with a vaccine, it kills more children than COVID has or will.
Truth is, no one has paid attention to pediatric flu deaths b/c there are far greater threats to children's health & safety
Truth is, no one has paid attention to pediatric flu deaths b/c there are far greater threats to children's health & safety
If I have one hope for Illinois parents & school boards, it's that they would actually take time to read & make sense of data, instead of reacting in knee-jerk fashion to the latest screeching headlines about a child's or teen's COVID death
It's time to move past the panic
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It's time to move past the panic
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