FL Firefighter Dies after COVID-19 Battle

Aug. 4, 2020
Naples firefighter Anthony Christensen was placed on a ventilator and needed to be transferred to a hospital in Orlando as he fought the virus for more than 30 days.

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A Florida firefighter died Tuesday from COVID-19 after battling the virus for more than a month.

Naples firefighter Anthony “Tony” Christensen was hospitalized for the coronavirus in early July, WINK-TV reported last month. He was placed on a ventilator before being transferred to a facility in Orlando for specialized care.

Christensen contracted the virus when he was in direct contact with fellow firefighters who had been exposed while responding to a call at a nursing home, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

"Tony served the citizens and visitors of Naples for 22+ years and truly made a difference, receiving multiple lifesaving awards," the department said in a statement Tuesday.

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