13-year-old American boy dies after contracting COVID-19

He is among the youngest to die from coronavirus

A 13-year-old boy from America has died after contracting Covid-19, according to reports in the USA. NBC News say the eighth grade student from Missouri passed away over the weekend, less than two weeks after he contracted the coronavirus and last went to school. The child, named by NBC as Peyton Baumgarth, had pre-existing health conditions. In a statement from Missouri's Washington School District, it was confirmed that the 13-year-old suffered complications as a result of contracting Covid-19. The statement reads: "We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family and ask that the public respects their privacy. His family deserves nothing less. "The family also asks that we all remember to wear masks, wash hands frequently and follow guidelines," the statement said. "COVID-19 is real and they want to remind students and parents to take these precautions in and outside of school." The school district said it would provide counselling for children when classes resume at the school on Wednesday. The statement also asked for the "thoughts and prayers" of the local community. The 13-year-old last attended a day of school on October 22nd. He reportedly began shielding on October 26th. However, within a week, his symptoms are said to have worsened. He was hospitalised and then died over the weekend due to complications arising from Covid-19, his family said. The state of Missouri has seen its number of coronavirus cases rise by more than 15,000 in the last seven days. As of Saturday, data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services showed 183,186 Covid-19 cases, almost 3,000 up from Friday. So far, 3,024 people have passed away from coronavirus in the state. Missouri currently has a Covid-19 positivity rate of 13.9%. This is nearly triple the figure the World Health Organisation deem acceptable for a state to reopen. When the state of Missouri reopened in June, Governor Mike Parson did not make it a requirement to wear a face mask or enforce social distancing. Several local districts in the state have since taken it upon themselves to implement social distancing measures.