A 16-year-old student is the third teen in the Tri-Cities to die from COVID.
Andrew Medina of Pasco died Oct. 22 after a battle with the disease, Franklin County Coroner Curtis McGary said. Asthma and his weight complicated his recovery.
"Andrew was an amazing son, nephew, grandson, cousin (and) friend to many," his aunt Denise Medina said as part of a GoFundMe campaign. "This has been a very, very difficult time for my family and friends of Andrew. ... We appreciate all your prayers and all the love your showed the family and our handsome boy Andrew!"
The teen was born in Walla Walla and lived in the Tri-Cities his entire life. He attended Chiawana High School in the 2020-21 school year, and transferred to the Touchet School District this school year.
His Facebook page showed his love for cars, driving and watching movies.
"Andrew loved football, especially his Cowboy's," said his obituary. "His passion for trains and cars was everything to him. He loved to work on them and attend car shows."
And his family noted how he enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grandparents.
"Andrew's laugh and contagious smile will truly be missed," his family said.
Currently in the Tri-Cities, the highest rate of new cases of COVID-19 is in ages 15 to 39.
However, teens do not appear to be getting infected in the classroom, say health officials.
The Benton Franklin Health District has reported that they believe cases in teens are being spread during extracurricular activities such as sporting events and in activities not sanctioned by schools
Andrew Medina was the third death of child or teen in the Tri-Cities area from complications of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
A 15-year-old girl died in November 2020 in Kennewick. She was severely disabled and had multiple underlying health conditions since childhood, according to the Benton County coroner's office.
The death of a Franklin County girl between the ages of 10 and 19 was reported in December 2020 by the health district. She also had underlying health conditions.
In all, there 539 confirmed deaths of people in Benton and Franklin counties during the pandemic, according to the Benton Franklin Health District. Medina's death is not yet included in that total.
