GoFundMe Copyright: GoFundMe Jay-Natalie La Santa, pictured here with her parents, is one of the youngest people to die of Covid-19 in the US Image caption: Jay-Natalie La Santa, pictured here with her parents, is one of the youngest people to die of Covid-19 in the US

The five-month-old daughter of New York City firefighter Jerel La Santa and Board of Education employee Lindsey La Santa died earlier this week of Covid-19, after a month in hospital, her family says.

The baby, Jay-Natalie, had a preexisting heart condition, her grandmother, Wanda La Santa told US media, and was first admitted to a New York hospital on 21 March with a fever.

"She was a little angel with the most beautiful smile," Wanda told NBC News. "Jay-Natalie had everybody wrapped around her finger."

After early signs of improvement, Jay-Natalie's condition quickly deteriorated, Wanda said. "My granddaughter fought a big battle for a whole month in the hospital."

Jay-Natalie is one of the youngest people to die of Covid-19 in the US. According to a report from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, just three children between the ages of one and 14 had died of the virus as of 2 April.

Both of the baby's parents tested negative for the virus.

Jose Prosper, president of the Hispanic Society of FDNY said that Jay-Natalie's father - who joined the force the same month she was born - called her his "warrior princess".

"Please keep the La Santa family close in prayer," Prosper wrote.