9-year-old South Carolina boy dies of COVID-19 at Georgia hospital

AUGUSTA, Ga. — A 9-year-old South Carolina boy died of COVID-19 last week at a Georgia hospital.

The child, who has not been identified, died at Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta.

He was a fourth-grader at North Augusta Elementary School, according to our ABC affiliate in Augusta, WJBF.

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The boy was one of two children within the Aikin County School District to die last week, according to WFXG. The other student, who also hasn’t been identified, was in 10th grade. The cause of her death has not been released, but the coroner told WJBF that it is investigating the death of one other Aiken County student related to COVID-19.

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“The Aiken High School family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of one of our students. Our condolences and thoughts go out her family, friends, teachers, and all members of our Hornet family who supported her,” Aiken High School officials said in a statement shared by the Aiken Standard.

The South Carolina General Assembly passed a law prohibiting schools from requiring students or staff to wear masks.

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Students went back to school in Aiken County on Aug. 16.

After the first week of classes, three elementary school students were hospitalized with COVID-19. A fourth elementary school student was hospitalized last week, according to the Aiken Standard.

Last week, the district reported that more than 4,000 students were in quarantine, more than 17% of the district’s population.

The district plans to hold a meeting about the COVID-19 outbreak Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

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