6th child dies of COVID in Missouri as official vows change

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Missouri’s new health czar is lamenting that the coronavirus had become so embroiled in politics as another child died and the virus sickens record numbers of youths. Donald Kauerauf began serving three weeks ago as the director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The Springfield News-Leader reports that he told lawmakers Tuesday that “we failed, as a nation, public health because we got to this point.” The state just ended what is shaping up to be one of the deadliest months of the pandemic. Recent deaths include a child who died last week in the St. Louis area, bringing the total number of Missouri children younger than 18 who have died from COVID-19 to six.