Family mourns loss of Monterey County man diagnosed with COVID-19
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Alfonzo Collazo spoke with KION from his home in San Francisco, Sunday. While abiding by Governor Gavin Newsom's order, he is miles away from family in Monterey County who are now coping with unbearable loss.
"He thought it was common cold with a little body ache. He rode it out and he rode it out and he rode it out. It wasn't until Sunday, during his workout, that he started feeling tired and noticed something was wrong," said Collazo.
Collazo said his uncle, Martin Collazo, was diagnosed with COVID-19 at Watsonville Community Hospital, Thursday. The man passed on Friday.
Collazo said he doesn't know how his uncle contracted COVID-19. Prior, he was said to have only had contact with his wife and co-workers, and had not traveled. Collazo said his uncle was a Monterey County resident.
"Thursday, he was actually in a sedative state. They had him on ventilators and respirators. It was very uncomfortable for him," said Collazo.
The Monterey County Health Department said the first Monterey County resident to die from COVID-19 had underlying health issues.
Collazo said his uncle was in his 50s and diabetic, but knew him to be fairly healthy. "He worked out every day for an hour. Ever since I can remember, he lifted weights and did a lot of cardio," said Collazo.
Collazo wishes his uncle would have been tested sooner. His family, who were most likely exposed to the virus, are struggling to get tested themselves.
As of Saturday, the Monterey County Public Health Lab tested 271 people for COVID-19. 69 tests have been administered since last Thursday.
A nationwide shortage of tests continues to cause worry. "I just think that is a very sad position for a lot of the population to be in. Keep putting pressure on your local government. Keep putting pressure on your doctor if you are having symptoms. Hopefully we will get these tests distributed ASAP."
