Another 'Angel' From NJ, Daniela, Succumbs To The Flu

"Angel" was the word used for 6-year-old Nevaeh Hernandez of North Bergen. Now it's being used for another grade-schooler, Daniela Genaro of Elizabeth.

Both liked to smile and pose for photographs. Both are gone now, both passing away after suffering from the flu.

Both now have their families and friends rallying around them, going to the media and the public to raise money for the funeral services.

"Please help my family with the funeral services for our angel, Daniela," Erika Genaro, a family member, wrote on Daniela's GoFundMe page. As of 7:30 a.m., the page had easily surpassed it's $5,000 fundraising goal, hitting nearly $10,000.

"We love you my princess!!"

Olga Hugelmeyer, Elizabeth's superintendent of schools, said the district is "saddened by the passing of one of our Nicholas LaCorte – Peterstown (Elementary) School No. 3 students and pray for the family."

Hugelmeyer said the Department of Health is continuing to investigate the matter and that grief counseling will be available for students and team members to assist them on Tuesday, starting at 8 a.m. and lasting until 3 p.m. Also, a meeting has been scheduled with parents.

Some parents have expressed concerns that the district isn't doing enough to protect other students from getting the flu, saying the schools should be closed until then. But Hugelmeyer said that Elizabeth schools "are open and clean."

"You should feel comfortable in sending your child to school tomorrow," she wrote in a letter to parents on M0nday. "We continue to do everything possible to make the schools safe, healthy learning environments. We have communicated via the district website, Facebook, automated phone calls, e-mail and by other media. We are communicating in multiple languages."

Elizabeth School District spokesman Pat Politano later told CBS2 that the child did die because of flu-related complications. Information from the state Department of Health was not immediately available.

The death comes one week after after state officials said a second child died after suffering from the virus. Family and friends identified the victim as Nevaeh Hernandez . Another child from Central Jersey, according to the state Department of Health, died in December. Ocean County officials later said the child was from their county.

Nevaeh's family have since gone public with their frustrations, claiming that the girl's death could have been prevented. Read more: Grief, Sorrow For 'Sweet' 6-Year-Old Nevaeh, NJ's 2nd Flu Victim

The passings also come as state officials have been battling New Jersey's highest number of flu cases in 15 years. Between Feb. 3 and 10, more than 4,000 cases were reported. Overall, more than 14,000 people have been diagnosed since Oct. 7.

Three people have died – all children.

In a news release, Acting Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal and Acting Commissioner of Education Lamont Repollet said they were saddened to learn of Nevaeh's death last week and extended their sympathies to family and friends.

"Stopping the spread of the flu remains a critical public health priority, which is why we have recently launched a significant public awareness campaign within my first few weeks on the job. We take every reported case of a pediatric flu-associated death very seriously," said Elnahal.

Read more: NJ Flu Scare: Worst Week Yet; Who's At Risk?

Hugelmeyer said the district's communications have centered on health, safety and flu prevention. Letters and flu prevention information will be sent home Tuesday with the Elizabeth district's children.

"All schools have been sanitized each day since the fall with a neutral disinfectant DS-1, which is effective in removing all pathogens," she said. "In addition, all buses are being sanitized as well. We took additional steps in sanitizing Nicholas LaCorte – Peterstown School No. 3 (Monday).

The district continues to be in communication with the Elizabeth Health Department, which is working towards scheduling additional health clinics to provide the flu vaccine. Additional details will be provided as soon as possible.

If your child is showing any signs of the flu, you should see a medical professional, the district says. If a child has a fever, he or she should remain home. Symptoms associated with the flu can include:

• high sudden onset of fevers
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• severe body aches
• headache
• chills
• tiredness and
• sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch