Photo courtesy of Raleigh High School Lion Pride Band
An 8th grader in Smith County has reportedly died from COVID-19.
The Smith County Reformer has identified the student as 13-year-old Mkayla Robinson, a member of the Raleigh Jr. High Band. The news outlet posted that Robinson “died of complications from Covid-19” on Saturday and that a prayer rally was held in her memory on Sunday.
Ashton Pittman with Mississippi Free Press is reporting that Robinson had been diagnosed with the virus late last week before her condition quickly took a turn for the worse.
“It is with great sadness, and a broken heart, that I announce the passing of one of my 8th grade band students. She was the perfect student. Every teacher loved her and wanted 30 more just like her. Please pray for Raleigh Junior High, the band, and especially the family as they deal with this,” a post from the Raleigh High School Lion Pride Band states.
The MSDH does not identify individuals that have passed away from COVID-19 but has confirmed the death of an individual between the ages of 11-17.
The Smith County School District had initially made masks optional before mandating them on August 10th. With an increasing number of cases in schools across the state, Governor Tate Reeves reiterated on Friday that he would not be implanting a statewide mask mandate in schools.
