FDNY paramedic in month-long coronavirus coma has woken up, union says
An FDNY paramedic disinfects the ambulance equipment after bringing a patient to Wyckoff Hospital in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn April 5, 2020 in New York. - The coronavirus death toll in New York state spiked to 4,159, the governor said, up fro
NEW YORK - New York Fire Department (FDNY) paramedic Christell Cadet awoke on Sunday from a monthlong coma thought to be caused by the novel coronavirus, according to representatives from her union.
The EMS union representing Cadet, 34, said she was on light duty due to her asthma and likely became infected while working out of her station house, WPIX reported.
After Cadet was hospitalized, her mother, Jessie, reportedly lobbied for first responders to receive greater protection as they continue to battle COVID-19.
"She had to be at work and that was unfortunate for her," Jessie had said. "That day she went to work and the next day she didn't make it."
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Fellow FDNY paramedic Sherry Singleton created a GoFundMe page for Cadet's medical expenses and began posting updates about her condition.
"She spent 28 days on life support and she is OFF LIFE SUPPORT and breathing on her own‼️" one update said. On Sunday Singleton announced that Cadet was "awake, talking and recovering at home."
"Thank you ALL so much for your continued prayers and your generosity," Singleton added. "Her rehabilitation and journey to 100% recovery begins."
The GoFundMe effort has raised over $18,600 with a goal of $100,000.
As of Tuesday, New York state had the most confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S. with over 321,000 and the most deaths with more than 25,000.