Milford 'Very Saddened By This Loss': Student Dies Of Flu

MILFORD, MA — A seventh-grade student at Stacy Middle School has died from flu-related illnesses, city and school officials said. Aaron Zenus, 12, is the first flu-related death in Massachusetts this season.

Milford Board of Selectmen Chair Michael Walsh said Zenus had been in the hospital for four days. "The community is very saddened by this loss," Walsh said.

"We are all deeply saddened by the passing of Aaron Zenus who was a student at Stacy Middle School," Milford Public Schools Superintendent Kevin McIntyre said in a statement. "He was a beloved member of our school community. Our faculty, students, and families are grieving their student, classmate, and friend. We are focused on supporting our students through this difficult time."

Counseling services any student of Milford Public Schools was held Thursday evening in the Stacy Middle School Media Center. Milford Public School counselors and resources from the community were available Thursday and will be available Friday for any student who is struggling.

Superintendent McIntyre highlighted in his email to parents that for some students, this may be their first encounter with loss and grief and it is important for friends and loved ones as well as the school community to be supportive in the process. "We have a number of resources available on our MPS website on the SEL page," Superintendent McIntyre said.

The most recent flu report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said there was "an increase in rates of flu-like illness over the past seven days."

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