State announces first child to die of COVID-19 in Oklahoma

A 13-year-old Fort Sill resident who tested positive for the coronavirus has been counted as Oklahoma’s first COVID-19 pediatric death, state health officials said Monday. 

Fort sill officials said Sunday that a dependent of a service member stationed at the military base near Lawton died Friday night at the Comanche County Memorial Hospital. The child tested positive for COVID-19 and was listed as a positive coronavirus case in Comanche County.

“Our entire Lawton Fort Sill community is deeply saddened,” Maj. Gen. Ken Kamper, commanding general of Fort Sill and the Fires Center of Excellence, said in a news release. “Our greatest condolences go out to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this difficult and sad time.”

Comanche County has the seventh highest number of positive coronavirus cases in the state with a total of 498, state health department data shows. Nine people in the county have died from the virus, and 418 have recovered.

The child’s family members are in quarantine at their residence on the military base, and they are following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control on how to stop the spread of the virus, Army officials said.

Military health officials at the Reynolds Army Health Clinic are working with Comanche County health officials to trace the spread of the virus, and officials will notify any individuals who may need to be tested and monitored for the virus.

“The Comanche County Health Department continues to take the lead in tracing the contact of COVID-19 exposure outside Fort Sill,” Army officials said. “We will continue to work alongside our local health partners to fight COVID-19. The health and safety of our service members, families, work force and the entire Lawton Fort Sill community remains our top priority.”

Army officials said they will not release additional information about the minor out of respect to the grieving family.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of the state’s first child impacted by COVID-19 since the pandemic arrived in Oklahoma,” Oklahoma Interim Health Commissioner Lance Frye said. “Our prayers are with the family and community as they mourn the loss of a young, innocent life. It is critical for Oklahomans to partner with us in following the latest public health guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable populations. Wash your hands often, limit social engagements, and consider wearing a mask where physical distancing is challenging.” 

Oklahoma has 20,745 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, health department data shows. The state has a total of 424 coronavirus deaths.