Photo: GoFundMe
A 9-year-old Texas boy has died from complications related toCOVID-19just 24 hours after testing positive for the fatal virus.
J.J. Boatman of Fort Worth was rushed to the emergency room on Jan. 25 after he told his mom he was having difficulty breathing.
He was then flown to Cook Children’s Medical Center where doctors discovered Boatman’s lungs filled with fluid and his brain swollen from lack of oxygen. Boatman was tested for COVID-19 at the medical center and returned a positive test.
Boatman’s heart gave out and he died the following morning. The doctors told Boatman’s mother that her son had died from complications related to COVID-19.
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Just last month, Boatman celebrated his ninth birthday with tacos and cake.
“We’re going to miss his whole life,” Ayala added. “He’s going to miss his whole life. His life hadn’t even started.”
Jason Boatman, J.J.’s father, told the outlet that his son was healthy and active besides having asthma as well as autism and ADHD.
AGoFundMe pagehas been set up to help cover funeral expenses. As of Tuesday, the family has raised nearly $26,000.
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
