Overview
- Jace Watkins died Saturday night, Dec. 27, according to family posts and a statement from his school principal.
- He was admitted to Children’s of Alabama on Dec. 20 after a seizure and was treated in the intensive care unit, with a ventilator used at one point, per the family’s fundraiser.
- Family accounts say he first felt sick on Dec. 18 and was initially told his lungs looked clear before his condition rapidly deteriorated.
- His aunt said he had no known underlying health issues aside from being born premature and past inhaler use, and she shared that he never opened his Christmas gifts.
- Alabama reported about 6.3% of ER visits for flu-like illness in the week ending Dec. 21, and CDC data show recent increases in hospitalizations and outpatient respiratory visits.