YOUNGEST BELGIAN VICTIM OF COVID 19

A three-year-old girl has died from COVID-19 in Belgium, health authorities in the country announced on Friday.

The child, who had underlying health conditions, passed away several days ago, they added, according to Euronews.

She is the youngest-known victim of the disease in Belgium.

"This news touches all of us deeply, whether that's as a scientist or as a parent," said Boudewijn Catry, a spokesman for the country's health authority, which has been dealing with a recent upsurge in cases.

"On average, three people die each day, including recently an 18-year-old," he said at a press conference, adding that deaths among young people were "rare".

A 12-year-old child died from the virus last March in Belgium.

The recent increase in infections has seen the total number of COVID-19 cases climb to 64,847. There have been 9,812 deaths from the disease.

The number of new cases in the period from July 14-20 went up by 89% compared to the previous week. An increase in infections has been reported in all provinces, with the exception of Walloon Brabant.

In the last week, an average of 220.6 new cases were diagnosed per day.