Coronavirus: South Carolina teacher, 28, dies of COVID-19 only 3 days after diagnosis

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina school system has confirmed the death of one of its third-grade teachers just days after she was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Demetria “Demi” Bannister, 28, who had just begun her fifth year of teaching at Windsor Elementary School, learned Friday she was infected with the novel coronavirus and died Monday, Richland County School District Two spokeswoman Libby Roof said in a statement.

“With heavy hearts, (Richland Two) administrators share this information with permission from Ms. Bannister’s parents, who wish to remind others about the seriousness of this disease caused by the coronavirus,” Roof stated.

According to school officials, Bannister was last seen on school grounds Aug. 28 for a teacher workday, before transitioning to online instruction from home the following week, The Hill reported.

Officials also said Bannister did not exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms while working in the building, Fox News reported.

“I want to express my sincere condolences to Ms. Bannister’s parents, relatives, friends and school family,” Richland Two Superintendent Baron Davis said in a statement. “While gone from us too soon, Ms. Bannister’s legacy lives on through the lives of the students she taught in her five years as a dedicated educator.”

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Cox Media Group