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A Florida paramedic died Sunday from COVID-19, a day after his sister passed away from the virus.
Volusia County EMS paramedic Gerald "Jerry" Jones, 51, was quarantined Aug. 6 after contracting the coronavirus, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. He was hospitalized Sept. 14 and died nearly a week later.
“Gerald was known as a gentle giant,” Volusia County EMS Director Jason Brady said at a Monday press conference. “He had a huge heart and an amazing bedside manner. The county is certainly saddened. His coworkers are also grieving at this time. He was a great friend. … He leaves behind a lot of heavy hearts today.”
Jones began work as a paramedic in 1999 with EVAC Ambulance, which eventually became Volusia County EMS in 2011, according to the News-Journal. He served with the Navy during Operation Desert Storm and was a member of VFW Post 3282 in Port Orange.
Along with his wife and son, Jones also lived with his sister, Shyla Pennington, who had been a teacher’s assistant with the Volusia County School District for nearly 20 years. She died Saturday of complications from COVID-19 and pneumonia, the News-Journal added.
"Volusia County just lost two public servants, and a family lost two of their loved ones, to COVID-19," Sheriff Mike Chitwood wrote in an online update.
A GoFundMe campaign was created for the Jones' family by the nonprofit Volusia Ambulance Association. So far, it has raised more than $16,000 of its $25,000 goal.
