Elliott Samet, a pediatrician at St. Mary's General Hospital in Passaic, died due to complications related to COVID-19, the hospital's CEO announced Tuesday.

Samet practiced medicine for 38 years and served as St. Mary's primary neonatologist — a pediatrician who works with newborns — Edward J. Condit, the hospital's CEO, said in a statement.

"Many tears are being shed over this tragic loss," Condit said.

It was not disclosed when Samet was diagnosed with the coronavirus or when he died.

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A hospital spokesman said Samet was active in his local Orthodox community.

The website The Yeshiva World reported in an obituary that Samet was in his 60s and called him "one of the leading pediatricians for the Jewish community in Passaic for decades."

"So much so, that there was always a long line of kids and their parents at his house to show him and his wife their Purim costumes. He proudly hung all of the photos in his office," the obituary said.

Nicholas Katzban is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: katzban@northjersey.com Twitter: @nicholaskatzban