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A SECOND child has reportedly died from coronavirus in the U.S. as the nation's death toll soars past 1,130.

Jaquan Anderson, a 17-year-old boy from New Orleans became the youngest fatality from the virus in the state, the Louisiana Department of Health has reported.

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6 Hospitals in New York have been overrun with seriously ill coronavirus patients Credit: The Mega Agency

The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office identified the teen as a 17-year-old black male.

The teenager is one of 18 deaths announced in the state on Wednesday, bringing the total to 83.

It is unclear if the teen had any other pre-existing medical conditions and his cause and manner of death remain under investigation, Governor John Bel Edwards said Thursday.

This virus knows no limits... it really does not discriminate. Governor John Bel Edwards

“This does illustrate the point that everyone is at risk ... there is some percentage of population regardless of age and health who are at risk of having serious and severe complications ... and that includes death,” Governor Edwards told a press conference.

“This virus knows no limits... it really does not discriminate," he added.

LOUISIANA NUMBERS RISE

The city of New Orleans, in Louisiana, is on a path to become the country's next epicenter of the outbreak.

As of Thursday, Louisiana had 2,305 coronavirus cases reported, with at least 83 deaths, and 997 confirmed cases were in the New Orleans metro area.

The massive growth rate of cases puts New Orleans “on the trajectory to become the epicenter for the outbreak in the United States,” according to Dr. Rebekah Gee, a health professional in the state.

New Orleans is the biggest city in Louisiana and is known for its famed Mardi Gras celebration, which draws more than an estimated one million tourists each year.

Gee, who oversees Louisiana State University’s health care services division, told Reuters: “Mardi Gras was the perfect storm, it provided the perfect conditions for the spread of this virus.”

Health officials continue to urge people to stay in their homes and avoid going outside to help stop the spread of the virus.

SECOND U.S. TEEN DEATH

While the elderly are thought to be the most at-risk of dying from the disease, deaths have been recorded across a broad range of ages.

Yesterday, California teen William Whang became the first US minor to reportedly die from coronavirus.

William passed away last Wednesday at the age of 17 and was not confirmed to have COVID-19 until after his death.

The LA County Medical Examiner has not listed William's cause of death and says that an investigation is pending to determine if it was in fact COVID-19.

The 17-year-old went to the hospital five days before his death with respiratory problems but was turned away according to Lancaster Mayor Rex Pariss.

The teenager was later admitted at Antelope Valley Hospital where he died from septic shock.

The Global Sepsis Alliance stated that COVID-19 can cause sepsis, which can lead to septic shock.

His cause of death is pending further investigation.

6 William Whang (above) died on March 18 in Lancaster Credit: Facebook

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The United States now has the largest number of reported coronavirus cases in the world.

The country has now passed Italy and China — where the virus originated — with at least 81,321 cases as of Thursday, according to a tally from The New York Times.

The U.S. is 11 days behind Italy in terms of the virus spreading but already has a higher number of infections.

Earlier Thursday, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned that America could become worse than Italy if people do not take coronavirus social distancing seriously.