KY Fire Chief Critical as He Battles Cancer, COVID-19

Editor's note: Find Firehouse.com's complete coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic here.

A Kentucky firefighter is in critical condition as he battles COVID-19 and cancer.

Zoneton Fire Chief Rob Orkies tested positive for the virus a week after he began chemotherapy and radiation treatment for skin cancer, Fire Marshal Kevin Moulton told WDRB-TV. Orkies was taken to the hospital Nov. 9 after he began feeling ill, and he was placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit Nov. 19.

In October, Orkies had his cancer removed, but he developed blood clots in his lungs. His doctors have put his chemotherapy and radiation treatment—which began earlier this month and were set to run through December—on hold after Orkies contracted COVID-19.

Orkies' family has heard encouraging reports from doctors, according to an online update by the fire district Sunday. Last week, family and fellow firefighters gather at the chief's fire station for a group prayer, WDRB added.