The New South Wales coroner has confirmed that COVID-19 was responsible for the death of a two-month-old baby at Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital in December.
It is understood to be Australia's youngest COVID-19 victim.
The death was first reported publicly in January, at which time authorities said the cause of death was uncertain.
The case was referred to the coroner who has determined the infant had no underlying health conditions and died from a COVID-19 infection.
The infant was infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Hunter New England's public health controller Dr David Durrheim said it was a tragedy.
"Our thoughts, our condolences go to the family who would still be grieving this terrible loss," he said.
"Severe COVID, rarely occurs in young children — that's not been the nature of this disease — but we've seen this week alone two children confirmed with COVID have died in NSW.
"At our peril, we ignore just how severe COVID can be."
This week a two-year-old boy with COVID and no underlying conditions died in hospital in Sydney.
Potential vaccine for children
Children under the age of five remain the only age group not yet eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in Australia.
However, in the United States, vaccine manufacturer Moderna has announced its vaccine is safe for use in children as young as six months old.
The company is applying to regulators in the United States and Europe for approval to offer its COVID-19 vaccine to children between six months and six years of age.
Moderna's trial results found two smaller doses of its vaccine is safe for very young children, although it is less effective against the Omicron variant, and the company is evaluating the need for a booster shot.
Of children aged 5-11 in NSW, 49 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 19.6 per cent have received two doses.
Of children aged 12-15, 83.5 per cent have received one dose and 79.3 per cent have received two doses.
Meanwhile 58.8 per cent of the population over 16 has received a third booster shot.
NSW Health also today reported the deaths of seven adults with COVID-19 — four men and three women.
One person was aged in their 40s, one person was in their 60s, two people were in their 80s and three people were in their 90s.
The state has recorded 24,803 new cases and a total of 1,180 people are in hospital.
