North Carolina deputy, 26, dies one day after testing positive for COVID-19
North Carolina deputy Lakiya Rouse is being mourned by family and friends
In a shocking turn of events, it has been confirmed that a 26-year-old deputy in North Carolina has died after testing positive for COVID-19.
According to a news release from Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy LaKiya Rouse passed away last Wednesday just a day after she was hospitalized due to illness.
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On Monday, Oct 19th Rouse worked a full shift as a bailiff at the Guilford County Courthouse in Greensboro and seemed to be fine. But the following day, she reported that she was feeling sick and ultimately had to leave her post early to get medical treatment at a local hospital.
Once she arrived at the facility she was made to take a COVID-19 test as part of protocol. Although she tested positive, the sheriff’s office said in the release Rouse died “due to medical-related issues” and “no medical official has linked the positive COVID test result to her death.”
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“Our team suffered a terrible loss,” Sheriff D.H. Rogers said in a statement. “No words can adequately express our sadness.”
Judge Lora Cubbage, who shared a courtroom with Rouse, shared a tribute to her late colleague on Facebook, writing, “She protected me and made sure all things went the way they should. She was full of life and loved to laugh with me. We talked about other goals she wanted to accomplish in life and she made sure I had my candy on the bench. Lakiya Rouse thank you for opening and closing my courts.”
“Thank you for the laughter and the words ‘you just a real judge and I like that,’ ” Cubbage continued. “To her family, we her work family are mourning and praying with you. Heaven’s gain is truly our loss.”
Rouse’s mother, Joy Rouse, told WTSP her daughter loved her job and working with people, explaining, “LaKiya was just a spirit, that, even from a baby she was always loving and always like to hug and always loved people. She was a smart young lady. Not only did she have the beauty — she had brains behind it.”
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