OKCPS Confirms Middle School Student Has Died From Flu

The flu claims the life of another Oklahoma child. Just one week after the death of a 5-year-old girl from Moore, Oklahoma City Public Schools confirms a young student has also passed away.

OKCPS said that student attended Taft Middle School.

Parents were notified Wednesday by the school principal that a special needs 8th grader died from flu complications.

The district has not identified the student and said it's up to the family to release it, but parents and students are concerned.

“I've been stressing over it because we've got little kids at home, and two of them are already sick,” said grandparent, Norma Robles.

Robles has five grandchildren who go to Taft Middle School, and for her the severity of this latest flu strain is beginning to hit close to home.

“And it's worrying me, and every time I turn around, one of them is sick, or got a cold,” said Robles.

“Being that my kid just got over the flu, it's kind of concerning,” said parent, Jessica Williamson. “We kept her out school for over a week just to make sure that it didn't happen again.”

Oklahoma City Public Schools is releasing very little information about the 8th grader who passed away.

The letter sent home to parents said, "The student suffered with a weakened immune system which can make people more susceptible to the flu virus."

The letter also assured parents that OKCPS custodial services employees "undergo regular training for disinfecting buildings, which is already done on a routine basis."

“I think it's very sad that this would happen, and if I had a chance to know who it was, I can figure out, maybe it was one of my friends, I don't know,” said student, Alice Parker.

“It's really sad because everybody here is a family, and we all know each other,” said Reanna Parker.

“It worries me,” said Robles.

A district spokesperson told News 9 a ‘care van' will be at the school next Wednesday to administer flu shots to students who want them.

We're also told grief counselors were on campus Wednesday and will continue to be available to students and staff.