FORT WORTH, Texas – A 9-year-old boy who was healthy enough to go to class one day died of COVID-19 in the Children’s Hospital a few days later.
According to family media reports, Jason “JJ” Boatman attended Central Elementary School in Vernon, northwest of Wichita Falls.
Vernon ISD confirmed he was on campus Friday and passed away Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19.
“He was running around one day and by that night he was having trouble breathing. He was flown to Fort Worth where he was placed on a ventilator and the doctor said his lungs were full of fluid and that his brain was swollen from lack of oxygen. ., ‘wrote a family member on his GoFundMe page.
Family members described JJ, who recently turned 9 years old, as ‘always happy and full of life’.
“He was very strong and lasted longer than 12 hours, but in the end, COVID-19 claimed another young victim,” the GoFundMe page says.
Central Elementary was closed early Tuesday and all students and staff were instructed to quarantine until at least February 1st.
Vernon ISD said the school will be disinfected and mourning counselors will be available to students upon their return.
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