At a Glance
- 5-year-old Micah, son of Catholic influencer Paul Kim, died after a severe case of the flu on New Year’s Eve.
- Kim posted daily updates, including videos of Micah in a coma, and thanked followers for prayers.
- The flu season has already claimed 3,100 deaths in the U.S., including 5 children.
- Why it matters: The story highlights the deadly impact of the flu on young children and the emotional toll on families.
Paul Kim, a Catholic influencer with over 300,000 Instagram followers, announced the death of his 5-year-old son Micah after a brutal battle with the flu, sparking a wave of support and raising awareness about the season’s surge in child fatalities.
Timeline of the Tragedy
Kim began sharing updates on Dec. 21 when Micah was rushed to the hospital after a medical emergency. The next day, he posted that Micah was on life support and asked for prayers.
- Dec. 21 – Ambulance to hospital after medical emergency
- Dec. 22 – Micah on life support; prayers requested
- Dec. 30 – Severe flu, sepsis, seizures; doctors call it one of the most horrific cases ever seen
- New Year’s Eve – Micah passed away after 11 days in a coma
Public Reaction and Private Grief
In a video posted on Thursday, Kim expressed gratitude for the prayers and described Micah’s passing in a coma, stating his soul was already with the Lord.
Paul Kim stated:
> “We are so proud of him. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, as his dad, on behalf of my family, for all the ways you guys prayed and lifted us up during this time,”
Paul Kim added:
> “The doctors are saying it’s one of the most horrific cases of this virus that they have ever seen in their life. It’s very rare, what happened to my son,”
Paul Kim continued:
> “Micah is already in heaven at work, seriously. So many testimonies, so many ways in which God is using the light in my 5-year-old to truly save souls and change the world,”
Kim also noted that his account had been viewed more than 50 million times in the last few weeks since Micah’s hospitalization.
Flu Impact Statistics
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Total U.S. flu deaths this season | 3,100 |
| Children who died from flu | 5 |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the flu has surged across the U.S., with young children hit particularly hard.
Key Takeaways
- Micah, a 5-year-old, died after a severe flu case on New Year’s Eve.
- Paul Kim’s updates drew over 50 million views and widespread support.
- The U.S. flu season has claimed 3,100 deaths, including five children.
The heartbreaking loss underscores the urgent need for flu awareness and vaccination, especially among young children.
