A school bus driver in Mesquite, Texas, located east of Dallas, died after contracting COVID-19, reported The Dallas Morning News.
Clarkster Toure, a 12-year veteran school bus driver, reportedly went to the hospital in early October after returning home from her 10-year anniversary weekend trip with a cough. Toure’s son, Frederick Cohen, told NBCDFW that his mother went to the hospital three times before she was admitted with breathing difficulties. Toure later tested positive for COVID-19 and was reportedly on a ventilator before she died on Nov. 3.
Cohen reportedly said that his mother followed district precautionary guidelines, such as wearing a mask and gloves on her bus routes. Mesquite Independent State District (ISD) told The Dallas Morning News that it requires hand sanitation stations on school buses, face masks for staff and students, and sanitation of the buses after each route. Transportation is also limiting the number of students on each bus to maintain social distancing.
Michelle Ramm, director of transportation for Mesquite ISD, said in the following statement, “Miss Clarkster was an absolutely perfect employee with a huge heart. She never said anything negative, was always positive and absolutely loved kids.”
A statement from the district added, “The loss of Mrs. Toure will be felt for a long time, especially by her coworkers in transportation. Our deepest sympathies go to her family and loved ones. MISD is so thankful that she chose to be a part of our district.”
Toure is survived by her husband and five sons. Memorial services were held on Nov. 14.
