PUEBLO COUNTY — A Pueblo County Sheriff's Deputy is back on the job after battling COVID-19 for about a month.
"I've had colds before and sinuses infections before too, and it's like yeah this is the worst I've ever had," Deputy Dan Wells told reporters Wednesday, "I would almost pass out because the coughing was so bad."
Wells says his wife tested positive for the virus at the end of March. Days after she received her positive results, Wells came down with a fever. That's when the Deputy drove up to the first responders testing site in Colorado Springs, and he would later learn he also had COVID-19.
Wells is one of two deputies in Pueblo County to test positive for the virus. The other deputy remains at home in recovery, but Wells says he worked with the deputy doing some training to his diagnosis. "We don't know if it's with the exposure there or if I came down with the exposure somewhere else," Wells said.
The symptoms he and his wife experienced were different. Wells says he had a high fever, no appetite, and a significant cough. His wife experienced chills, fever, loss of smell and taste, and a mild cough.
"It was kind of weird how we had the same covid but different stuff," Wells said.
The Deputy is glad to be back at work, and running normal errands again. He says people should take it seriously, he's seen families going to the store in large groups without masks. Wells continues to wear his mask both at work and in public.
"Take some kind of precaution or something you know," Wells said. He and his wife also plan on donating plasma, he says they're already going through the process to make that happen. "We're going to do the positive thing," Wells said.
During his 25 day quarantine period at home, Wells missed out on some milestones such as birthday, work anniversary, and marriage anniversary. Luckily, his marriage anniversary happened as his wife was doing better and they opted for a curbside takeout dinner at home.
For his birthday, the Sheriff's Office and other first responders performed a drive-by parade at his home.
Download the News5 App | Watch News5 on a streaming device
RELATED:
Complete coronavirus coverage
The Rebound Colorado: Relieve. Respond. Revive.
Get the latest from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Click here for the latest update on the number of cases, the age, gender and location of presumptive positive, indeterminate and confirmed cases from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
People who have general questions about coronavirus disease 2019 can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 for answers in many languages. Email COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English.
