Midland Student Airlifted to Dallas for COVID-19 Complications

MIDLAND, TX --  A Midland ISD student is fighting for his life after suffering from post-COVID-19 systemic inflammatory response syndrome or  (SIRS).

Santiago, who is a student at Bowie Fine Arts Academy, was admitted to Midland Memorial on Monday with COVID-19 like symptoms. 

According to the GoFundMe set up by his family, Santiago tested negative for COVID-19 but continued to experience low blood pressure. He also had no positive response to the treatments he was given.

Doctors determined the best option for Santiago to be treated at Cook Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Dallas.

Santiago was airlifted to the hospital and after undergoing additional tests, doctors were able to confirm he had COVID-19 antibodies. This meant he had previously had the virus and was now suffering from a systemic inflammatory response.

The inflammatory response caused kidney failure and an inflammatory response around the heart. 

According to his family, Santiago is in "great spirits" and "resting while receiving excellent care here in Fort Worth."

Santiago was accompanied to Cook's by his uncle as both his parents are positive for COVID-19.

His family shared the following update on their GoFundMe:

"Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today we are thankful for all the staff at Cooks Children Hospital and to our community! Today we got some good news! He has responded well enough to his treatment that they have weaned him off his blood pressure medication. They were able to also weaned him off the Cpap yesterday. With that being said if he continues with the same progress he will be able to be move into a regular room. Praise God!!! Please continue to keep Santiago in your prayers and his parents so they can be reunited soon!"