Eighth-Grader Dies Of COVID-19 Complications In Colorado

An eighth-grader died of COVID-19 complications Sunday morning, the Ignacio School District has announced. Her case marks the first COVID-related pediatric fatality in La Plata and Archuleta counties.

Samantha Rock was a student at Ignacio Middle School, reported The Journal. District Superintendent Chris deKay announced her death in a Facebook post.

"I knew Samantha in school, and she was a super-nice kid. She was very respectful and a very nice young lady," deKay wrote as per the outlet.

"I just want to make sure that the family understands that we care, and the community understands we'll do everything we can to support them," he added.

"But mostly, we just grieve with the family," deKay said further.

A wake will be held at Rock's family home on Dec. 26, 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will then take place at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Dec. 27, 10 a.m., according to the obituary posted on Tribute Archive.

Rock had attended Ignacio schools since the first grade. Though deKay said Rock was Native American, her tribal membership could not be verified. Lindsay Box, a spokesperson for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, declined to make a comment, reported The Journal.

Schools have shut for the holidays, but counselors were made available at Rock's school Monday and Tuesday for support services as per the school district's Facebook post.

Meanwhile, San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) Executive Director Liane Jollon said they have "learned of this tragedy."

"It is very difficult to learn of the death of a child who has recently tested positive for COVID-19," Jollon said.

SJBPH regarded Rock's death as the first COVID-related pediatric fatality in La Plata and Archuleta counties. Though La Plata County already saw 67 COVID-19 deaths as of Wednesday, it is the first time a COVID-related pediatric fatality is being lodged in the county, which has so far recorded 7,376 cases.

This case also comes after the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment stated that those aged 10 to 19 account for about 13% of cases and less than 0.2% of deaths in the state.

"We're urging parents and guardians to get eligible children vaccinated as soon as possible," Jollon said further. "While the risk to children has been less over the course of this pandemic, it is certainly not zero, and it is very important that we protect our children."