Funeral services have been set for Laurence Manning Academy student Ashlie Pipkin, who died Wednesday of what preliminary reports are saying is pneumonia and possible complications from the H1 N1 virus.
Sumter County Coroner, Harvin Bullock says that they are waiting on the autopsy report from the forensic lab in Newberry. Bullock also says that it may be Monday before get a report by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Pipkinwas a fifth grade student at Laurence Manning. According to Dr. Anna Kathryn Rye, a pediatric inffectious disease physician at Palmetto Health Richland, Pipkin had underlying asthma issues that put her at a higher risk for complications. Medical professionals are urging parents to remain calm, stressing that the H1 N1 virus is not a great threat to otherwise healthy children.
A memorial service for Ashlie is scheduled for Saturday at Laurence Manning Academy at 1pm.
The school has been closed since Tuesday over fears of the flu. Reports say that over 200 students missed class Monday, and 280 were out of class Tuesday — this out of about 1,000 students that attend the private school.
The Academy will reopen on Monday.
