Community Corner

Rochester High Grad Among Recent Victims of H1N1 Flu Virus

Ashley McCormick, 23, died Dec. 27 after coming down with flu-like symptoms one week earlier.

A deadly strain of the flu virus that is being blamed in the deaths of 10 people in Michigan hit close to home in recent weeks.

Ashley McCormick, 23, a Rochester High School graduate, died Dec. 27 after coming down with flu-like symptoms on Dec. 21, myfoxdetroit.com is reporting.

"We were like, 'This is the flu. How can this happen? It's just the flu.' I mean, everybody gets the flu and this doesn't happen," Ashley's mother, Patricia McCormick, told the station.

According to the report, McCormick had planned to be a teacher for special-needs children and had no prior medical conditions and did not receive a flu shot this season.

In total, at least 10 people have died from the H1N1 influenza virus, according to recent media reports. The Royal Oak Daily Tribune said three residents have died in Oakland County, where Kathy Forzley, manager and health officer for the Oakland County Health Division, said she believes numbers are “understated.”


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