Report: Washington Co. Third-Grader Dies From The Flu
WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) -- A Washington County third-grader has died after contracting the flu.
According to the Observer-Reporter, 10-year-old Payton Pierson died Thursday at Children's Hospital after being diagnosed with the flu last Saturday at Washington Hospital.
After her initial diagnosis, the Trinity South Elementary School student returned to her Washington home. Twelve hours later, she collapsed and was flown to the Pittsburgh hospital.
Trinity School District reportedly sent an email to parents Friday, alerting them to the girl's death and assuring that grief counselors had been brought the school.
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention reports that flu deaths in children are up 67 percent.
"Every single year we see children die for influenza, and we look at the United States, it varies year to year by different seasons, but over 100 children to sometimes over 200 are going to die from influenza," said Children's Hospital Dr. Marian Michaels. "It's important to recognize that the vast majority of children who die were not vaccinated."
A GoFundMe page started for the girl has raised more than $2,500.
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