The number of deaths from Covid-19 among children aged 18 or younger reached 44 as of Thursday, the government said Thursday.

On Thursday, the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) released the analysis on Covid-19 deaths among children and adolescents aged 18 or younger.

The nation reported the first pediatric death in November last year, and the total number of deaths in that age group marked 44.

Monthly, the number of Covid-19 cases among children aged 18 or younger peaked in March at 2.53 million, and monthly deaths were the largest in April with 13.

Of the Covid-19 deaths among children, those aged nine or younger accounted for 65.9 percent, and those between 10 and 18, 34.1 percent. The proportions of boys and girls among pediatric Covid-19 deaths were about the same.

About 52 percent of the children who died from Covid-19 had underlying diseases. The most common underlying diseases were neurological diseases such as epilepsy, followed by endocrine diseases and congenital anomalies.

Of the 22 deaths in the high-risk age groups of 5-11 and 12-28, 81.8 percent were unvaccinated.

The government said it would secure more pediatric beds to brace for a possible increase in deaths among children.

The government also said it would cooperate with related organizations to secure beds for infants and young children because it is more difficult to treat Covid-19 in those age groups and designate more exclusive beds for them.

“If a child is confirmed with Covid-19, the guardian should pay extra attention to symptoms that could lead to a serious disease such as continued high fever,” the CDCH said. “If those symptoms occur, the guardian should request a professional’s examination and consultation.”