Kimora Lynum, a 9-year old African American girl, has been reported as the youngest person in Florida to have died from COVID-19 so far.
“Kimmie” Lynum was taken to the hospital when she started feeling sick and had a high fever. She tested positive for coronavirus but was sent home. She collapsed and sadly died shortly after.
It has yet been confirmed how or when Lynum got infected. Her family said she did not have any underlying health conditions and she did not travel recently. She spent her days at home and did not attend school or summer camp.
Kimora Lynum had no close contact with anyone who tested positive of the COVID-19 as well, official state health department records show.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with Lynum’s funeral expenses and it has so far raised more than $15,000.
According to Essence.com, Kimora Lynum, who was described by her parents as being healthy with no preexisting conditions that would put her at risk, died July 17. Now Lynum’s parents want to make sure other parents in Florida and beyond are aware the coronavirus can have devastating effects.
“It hit home, and I think a lot of people out here are not understanding that we have to take this thing seriously,” family spokesperson Dejeon Cain told First Coast News. “We cannot send our kids to school in the midst of a pandemic, and use them as a pawn. We’ve lost compassion in our state and local governments.”
