#Eight grade student in Mississippi dies of COVID-19

An eighth grade student in Mississippi succumbed to COVID-19 just hours after receiving a positive test result, according to reports.

Makayla Robinson, 13, had attended school in Smith County, Mississippi for most of last week before quickly succumbing to complications from the virus on Aug. 14, according to the Mississippi Free Press. 

It was not clear on Sunday whether Robinson, a junior-high band member, had received the vaccine.

School reopened on Aug. 6 and students were not required to wear face coverings but had the option to bring them in.

However, within the first few days of school 76 students and 11 educators tested positive in the district, forcing an additional 411 students and 11 educators to quarantine, the paper reported. 

The school then decided to require masks on Aug. 10.

“After much consideration for the welfare of our children, Smith County Schools will require all personnel and students to wear a mask,” the district said in a statement, according to the Mississippi Free Press.

Mississippi required masks for schools last fall, however at a press conference on Friday, Governor Tate Reeves said he had “no intention” of establishing a mask mandate this year.

“I don’t have any intention of issuing a statewide mask mandate for any category of Mississippians at this time. I don’t know how I can say that differently other than the way I’ve said it repeatedly for a number of days and weeks and months,” he said.

According to the latest data from the Mississippi Department of Health, the state reported 5,023 new cases on Aug. 14, including 31 new deaths.