A medically-vulnerable teen died of coronavirus complications after attending a church function in Florida. Carsyn Leigh Davis passed away on June 23, just two days after her 17th birthday.
According to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner, Davis had a “complex medical history.” This included cancer and autoimmune disorder opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome, a rare disorder that affects the nervous system.
Davis’ Fight Against COVID-19
The medical report states that Davis likely contracted coronavirus on June 10. She attended a church event at First Assembly of God with “100 other children” in Fort Meyers, Florida. There, Davis didn’t wear a mask and attendees weren’t social distancing, according to the report.
Her mother and stepfather — a nurse and physician’s assistant respectively — gave Davis an antibiotic called azithromycin. The antibiotic is not an approved treatment for COVID-19. Eventually, Davis developed a headache, sinus pressure, and a mild cough. At first, her family believed it was a sinus infection.
On June 19, the parents discovered that her blood oxygen levels had dropped dangerously low. (While this is a known symptom of “happy hypoxia,” the medical examiner’s report did not explicitly state she had the condition.) She was given oxygen from her grandfather’s portable machine. Her parents also administered a dose of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine. Previously, President Donald Trump supported the drug, despite officials warning that it could be ineffective or harmful.
Later that day, they took Davis to get medical care where she tested positive for COVID-19. The report states that the parents “declined intubation” against medical advice. When her condition failed to improve, doctors intubated her three days later.
Once intubated, Davis’ health continued to decline. After being airlifted to a Miami pediatric hospital for emergency treatment, Davis passed away on June 23.
First Assembly of God’s Response
Buzzfeed News reports that Pastor Dusty Zarick warned the community that the event attendees were experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. He also announced that all church events were canceled for the next two weeks.
In a statement, the First Assembly of God of Fort Meyers denounced rumors that they were hosting “COVID-19 parties.” They also commented on Davis’ passing.
It is heartbreaking that a young lady who frequently attended Youth Church over the past few years has recently passed away. The church, and many members of Youth Church particularly, had reached out to her family and her during her illness, praying for her and sending video messages and personal encouragement while she was going through her illness and in the hospital. Out of respect for her family, and at their request, the church did not comment to the media about her illness and her passing. The church intends to continue to honor that request. Our sympathies go out to her entire family during this tragic period of their lives.
First Assembly of God
Florida Coronavirus Church — Sources
First Assembly of God statement
Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department
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