Polk County Husband And Wife Die From COVID-19: Report

POLK COUNTY, FL — A Polk County teacher lost her life to COVID-19 earlier this month, and her husband died of the virus six days later, WFLA reported.

Elio Reyes Sr., 50, and his wife, Norma Reyes, 52, tested positive for COVID-19 in July. The effects from COVID-19 caused them to be hospitalized at Lakeland Regional shortly after they were tested.

Norma Reyes died Aug. 20, according to the news outlet. She was an educator with Polk County Public Schools at Purcell Elementary since May 2003.

Elio Reyes died from COVID-19 complications Aug. 26, Fox 13 reported. He worked as a shop foreman at Southeastern Construction Co. in Mulberry for the past 26 years. The couple shared the same hospital room while fighting COVID-19.

Elio Reyes Jr., 21, told WFLA that his dad was a hardworking man and that he will miss working alongside him while having talks about family, and hearing advice from his dad about what it means to provide for and protect your loved ones.

Norma Reyes taught Hispanic children who didn't know how to speak English. She was also awarded "School-Related State Employee of the Year" in 2012. Her children told Fox that even while she was in the hospital, she continued to give students their lessons plan.

While his parents were still fighting for their lives in the hospital, he said on Facebook on Aug. 12 that this was the scariest moment of his life. His parents were planning to get the vaccine after they got out of the hospital. Norma and Elio Sr. both had underlying health conditions such as diabetes, the TV station reported.

"My dad now follows my mom up to heaven, just like how he always followed her," their 18-year-old daughter, Bryana Reyes, posted on Facebook. "Their love was so strong that they left not even a week apart. I love you dad, you were my best friend — someone I could always talk to without even thinking about it. Fly high, Dad, and go dancing with mom, I love you both so much and will miss ya'll."

A GoFundMe account has been set up by Janellys Michelle as a memorial fund and to help with funeral costs.

Patch is a partner with GoFundMe.

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