Wayzata High School Teen Endures COVID-19 Hospital Scare, ‘It Can Happen to Anybody’
Seventeen-year-old Ella Winston continues to recover from COVID-19 complications. The Wayzata High School senior endured a lengthy stay in the hospital. It paused everything she’s ever loved to do, including dancing.
Ella has danced since she could walk and is captain of the Wayzata High School dance team. But a few weeks ago, COVID-19 took control of her body.
Ella’s temperature spiked to 104 degrees and she experienced a severe sore throat and cough. She was admitted to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Two days after arriving, she was rushed to the ICU.
“Watching five doctors and nurses was scary while her machine was beeping. Especially when they’re all running in at one point to sedate her. That’s the point I was freaking out,” explained Sarah Winston, Ella’s mom.
Ella Winston, Wayzata High School senior.
The teen experienced vomiting and dehydration. Sarah said doctors told her Ella was also experiencing kidney and heart failure. Ella’s body was shutting down and she needed to be put on oxygen and sedated in order to recover.
Ten days after being admitted to the hospital, Ella is now home but she was diagnosed with myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart.
“She really just can’t get her heart rate up that’s why she can’t exercise. And the reason why is with myocarditis, the bad effect is sudden death,” said Sarah.
A cardiologist will hep monitor Ella’s heart in hopes of a quick recovery. For the time being, Sarah hopes everyone will take COVID-19 seriously.
“It can happen to anybody, even the healthiest of kids, because Ella is the healthiest of kids,” Sarah said.
Card sent to Ella by University of Minnesota dance team
