Covenant Health confirms measles death; more than 20 patients hospitalized, officials urge vaccination

Covenant Health and the City of Lubbock Health Department said at a press conference that a school‑aged child who did not reside in Lubbock County has died from complications caused by measles, and more than 20 patients have been admitted to Covenant Children's Hospital, several of whom required intensive care.

At the press conference, Amy Thompson, chief executive officer for the Covenant Health Lubbock service area, said, "As of today, more than 20 patients have been admitted to the Covenant Children's Hospital. We have several of those who have required intensive care, as a result, of having the measles." She asked the community to keep caregivers in their thoughts, saying, "my caregivers have been fantastic in the middle of this outbreak, and, just I I would just ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers."

Laura Johnson, pediatric hospitalist and chief medical officer for the Covenant Health Lubbock service area, described the clinical picture and the hospital response. "Measles is an incredibly contagious virus," Johnson said, adding, "We know if you're in a room, with someone with active contagious measles, you're you have about a 90 percent chance of contracting that illness if you are not immune." She said measles commonly causes high fever, red watery eyes, congestion, a characteristic rash and viral pneumonia that can require supplemental or higher‑flow oxygen.

Johnson said the hospital has set up prescreening outside the emergency department to prevent suspected measles patients from waiting in common areas, and that confirmed or suspected patients are cared for under airborne isolation. "We have special, negative pressure rooms that these patients are, placed in, and then health care providers and others taking care of the patients use, appropriate PPE...including n 95 masks," she said. Thompson added the system had prepared more than 20 negative‑pressure rooms at the children's hospital to expand capacity if needed.

Officials emphasized vaccination as the primary defense. "Having two doses of measles vaccine confers 97 percent lifetime immunity," Johnson said. She noted that one dose is about 93 percent effective and that measles in vaccinated people is uncommon. For infants too young for the routine schedule, Johnson said post‑exposure vaccination is recommended in some cases: "If a 7 or 8 month old had a known exposure, we would absolutely want to immunize that infant, within the first 72 hours of that exposure."

On questions about hospitalization and quarantine, Johnson said the hospital admits patients for acute supportive treatment, not for quarantine. "We do not hospitalize patients for quarantine purposes," she said, explaining admitted patients receive supportive care such as supplemental oxygen, fever control, IV fluids and other measures as needed.

Thompson and Johnson said the hospitals are coordinating with the City of Lubbock Health Department, the Texas state health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The origin of the local outbreak was described as under investigation; officials said they were aware of related cases reported elsewhere in Texas and other states but could not confirm a source for the cluster that has included cases reported in Gaines County.

Officials offered guidance for parents and others: check vaccination status, get vaccinated at City of Lubbock Health Department clinics or through a health care provider if uncertain, avoid crowds when appropriate for very young infants, and contact a pediatrician about early vaccination options when exposure is suspected. Johnson said that adults and older children who are fully vaccinated face very low risk.

Thompson closed by thanking staff and asking the public to support health workers during the outbreak.