12 year old girl in Belgium dies of COVID-19

Belgian authorities on Tuesday said a 12-year-old girl has died from the coronavirus, adding that she was the youngest victim of more than 700 registered deaths in the country.

National Crisis-Centre Coronavirus spokesperson Emmanuel Andre said "(It's) an emotionally difficult moment, because it involves a child, and it has also upset the medical and scientific community."

"We are thinking of her family and friends. It is an event that is very rare, but one which upsets us greatly," Andre added.

No further details about the girl were provided during the news conference.

According to Andre, 98 people have died from coronavirus over the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 705 in the country of around 11.5 million people.

Belgium has confirmed 12,705 cases so far.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.