need to know
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Jace Watkins, 11-year-old Alabama boy, died after being hospitalized Dec. 27 with complications from the flu
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Watkins’ GoFundMe page says he suffered a seizure several days after being ill
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His aunt, Sabrina Parsons, wrote on Facebook: “Jess has never even opened his Christmas present…what do we do now?”
An 11-year-old boy in Alabama has died from a severe case of the flu.
Jace Watkins died on Saturday, December 27, after being hospitalized with complications from the flu, Fox 8 reports.
The boy is being treated in the Alabama Children’s Intensive Care Unit. During his illness, he suffered seizures and difficulty breathing.
Earlier this week, his family said his brain wasn’t getting enough oxygen due to swelling.
Watkins’ aunt, Sabrina Parsons, said Watkins did not have any underlying health issues, Fox 8 reported. “He was a preemie, but other than that, he had an inhaler and stuff like that, but that was a few years ago,” she said. “He told everyone he was fine, he felt fine. And then, I guess that night he started vomiting and having a seizure.”
Watkins is a fifth-grade student at Hueytown Middle School. School principal Cari McClellan issued a touching statement via Facebook on December 28 in memory of the boy, writing: “Our hearts are broken this morning… Jess Watkins passed away last night after a short and sudden illness. There are truly no words to adequately describe how we are feeling right now.”
McClellan continued, “Jace was a bright light to everyone who knew him. His sweet and genuine smile will be missed by all. Please continue to pray for his family and our school family as we all work through this unimaginable loss.”
A family friend organized a community prayer vigil for the boy on Dec. 23, the school said in a previous statement.
Goffin May
children’s hospital of alabama
A GoFundMe created for Watkins and his family has raised more than $6,000 so far.
The page’s description said Watkins fell ill and saw a doctor the next day. He was told at the time that his “lungs sounded clear.” A few days later, he suffered a seizure and was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with the flu.
The page said Watkins was put on a ventilator at one point.
In an emotional Facebook post on December 28, Sabrina wrote: “I just want to say…Jace never even opened his Christmas present…what do we do now?”
She continued: “This will always be a burden on our family.”
Watkins’ grandmother, JoAnn Clayton Parsons, also paid tribute to the boy and thanked the community for its support. “I just want to think of all the sweet kind words and prayers that each and every one of you has sent to my sweet great-grandson, Jess Watkins,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
“He was well-liked by everyone. [and] our heart is [broken]but you never know how much it means to us that you guys show so much love to us and Jace,” Joan said.
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Influenza cases continue to rise in the United States, with the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control showing a 14% increase in hospitalizations and a 4% increase in hospital visits for respiratory illnesses.
The agency said two children also were reported to have died from the flu. Last year’s flu season hit a tragic milestone, becoming the deadliest flu season for children, with 288 children dying from the flu, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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