Healthcare staff are thrice extra prone to get COVID-19, even with private protecting gear, based on a report recently published in The Lancet.
It is a threat many North Texas docs take day by day, however for one household practitioner in Irving, it almost took his life.
Intubated in a hospital mattress is the place Dr. Jaxel Lopez, 36, discovered himself regardless of, he says, doing every little thing attainable to guard himself from COVID-19.
Even with PPE, he believes he grew to become contaminated with the brand new coronavirus whereas administering a COVID check on a baby.
“Due to the upward angle, in the event that they cough, it might really undergo your protecting gear and the week earlier than all this began, that occurred to me,” mentioned Lopez.
Lopez mentioned he tried to experience it out at residence and took all of the drugs out there to him, Together with steroids and IV fluids, nonetheless it wasn’t sufficient and he mentioned he was pressured to name 911.
“All the things that would occur to a affected person occurred to me. I ended up having pneumonia and hepatitis. I had cardiomyopathy, which is a pressure to the center. I had kidney failure. I ended up having blood clots and wish blood thinners,” mentioned Lopez.
He posted a picture of himself while with a breathing a tube in his throat, earlier than his physique’s immune system gained the higher hand.
He had no underlying situations and mentioned he was in nice well being, however now struggles to take a full breathe as he slowly recovers.
“I am right here as a COVID survivor, because of the grace of God, the ability of prayer, willpower and stubbornness,” mentioned Lopez.
*Map places are approximate, central places for town and usually are not meant to point the place precise contaminated folks reside.
**County totals beneath embody all 32 North Texas counties, not simply Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant.
