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Italian Patient Describes What It's Like to Have COVID-19

Sabina Castelfranco

   ROME - As Italy continues to battle the coronavirus, a patient who
   contracted the virus earlier this month warns the world to be careful
   because the virus can be passed by those who show no symptoms.

   Italy's rate of coronavirus infection slowed for a fourth day Thursday,
   with many hopeful that the long lockdown is providing the results
   everyone has been praying for.

   Authorities are cautious, though, asking Italians not to lower their
   guard and continue to respect the rules.

   One hospitalized patient is speaking about his experience. Fausto
   Rossi, 38, started feeling unwell with a fever March 5 and four days
   later he was taken to Santa Maria Goretti Hospital in the city of
   Latina, where he tested positive for the coronavirus.

   He says, "the problem with this virus is when it gets to your lungs
   because it attacks them aggressively and causes a very serious
   pneumonia with an extremely high percentage of death." He stressed that
   this pneumonia is devastating.

   He said, "It's incredibly strong and has a very high mortality rate."
   He added that, if he suffered from other ailments or was of a different
   age, he would probably not be here today. "It's a horrible feeling not
   to be able to breathe," he said.

   Rossi, who is still in the hospital, but has been released from the
   intensive care unit and hopes to soon return to his family at home,
   said everyone in Italy underestimated this virus. He said he hopes this
   pandemic will end as quickly as possible so that everyone can return to
   their normal lives. He offered his advice.

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