An Illinois infant diagnosed with COVID-19 may be the first US baby killed by the pandemic, though the cause of death is unknown, according to a local report.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the infant’s death on Saturday.

Several other infants around the world have reportedly tested positive for the disease shortly after birth, though children have made up a small number of confirmed cases across the globe, according to coronavirus research.

Illinois ranks eighth among states with 3,491 confirmed coronaviruses cases. Health officials have reported 47 related deaths, including 13 fatalities reported Saturday.

“If you haven’t been paying attention, maybe this is your wake-up call,” said the state’s Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.

Ezike urged people to do all they can to prevent the spread of the virus as the state continues to institute a shelter-in

The risk of death and severe illness from COVID-19 is greater for older adults and people with other health problems. In most cases, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, which can include fever and cough but also milder cases of pneumonia, sometimes requiring hospitalization.

Children have made up a small fraction of coronavirus cases worldwide. A letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine by Chinese researchers earlier this month reported the death of a 10-month-old with COVID-19. The infant had a bowel blockage and organ failure, and died four weeks after being hospitalized.

Separate research published in the journal Pediatrics traced 2,100 infected children in China and noted one death, a 14-year old. The study found less than 6% of children were seriously ill.

With Post wires