SAN ANTONIO, TX – A San Antonio family is facing the tragic loss of 9-year-old Makenzie Gongora. According to her family, the fourth-grader died of COVID-19 only three days after testing positive.
According to her aunt, Victoria Southworth, Makenzie went home on Friday after feeling sick.
"She told her mom that she was really tired and that her stomach hurt,” said Southworth. “And of course, as parents were told, you know COVID and kids is flu-like just make them comfortable, do what you can to ease their, you know, discomfort. And so, my sister did that later down so that she could rest."
Makenzie tested positive for coronavirus on Friday after experiencing a bad headache and vomiting.
Over the weekend, Makenzie dealt with waves of the symptoms coming and going until she passed away in her sleep on Tuesday. Unfortunately, Tuesday was also her father's birthday.
Makenzie Gongora
Makenzie is survived by her mother, Kristie, who is a front-line essential worker in the medical field, her father Nathan, who is in the Army and has been deployed overseas twice, and her younger sister Sophia.
Since the specific circumstances of her death have not been determined, a medical examiner will determine what led to the premature death of Makenzie.
After her family's quarantine period is over Makenzie will be buried at Fort Sam Houston.
"We appreciate the love and outpouring of support,” Southworth said. “We don't want to be in this position. We don't want to be here, spreading awareness or receiving these gifts of love. This is not what we want. But, we're here.”
A GoFundMe created for the Gongora family has been created to help them during this difficult time.
Makenzie Gongora
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