Schools
Second Student At Santa Monica High Dies Of Unknown Illness
Doctors said Kelly Cano's illness is not believed to be Norovirus, according to Cano's mother, Sandra, who works as a nurse at the school.
SANTA MONICA, CA — A second student at Santa Monica High School has died of an unknown illness, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified District announced.
Many students expressed shock over the death of Kelly Cano, 18, on social media, and some got together for an impromptu memorial Sunday, according to the Santa Monica Observer.
"We are saddened by this devastating news and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time," SMMUSD spokeswoman Gail Pinsker said.
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Counseling will be available Tuesday and as needed this week at the school's library for students affected by Cano's death, she said.
Cano's death was the second since Oct. 25, 2016, when Vanai Jelks, a 10th-grader at the school, died after staying home when she wasn't feeling well, Pinsker said. Jelks' cause of death has not been determined.
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"At this time we have no evidence of any connection between the two deaths," she said. "Both just very sad in one (school) year at the same 3,000-student high school."
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Monday said it is investigating the death.
"Public Health is working closely with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District to protect the health of the students, staff and the community and will provide the school community with information and any services should this be necessary," the department said in a statement.
Because medical confidentiality laws and to protect the privacy of the family, the department said it will not be releasing any details on the case.
According to Cano's mother, Sandra, who works as a nurse at Samohi, doctors said Cano's illness is not believed to be Norovirus.
A possible outbreak of Norovirus at John Adams Middle School caused the closure of the school on Friday, Feb. 3. The outbreak was thought to have occurred during a seventh-grade science trip to Yosemite National Park.
JAMS was cleaned that weekend, and the school was reopened last Monday.
-- Photo courtesy of SMMUSD
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