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A longtime Alabama firefighter is in critical condition in a hospital intensive care unit as he battles severe symptoms of COVID-19.
Tuscaloosa firefighter-paramedic Chais Billings was diagnosed with the virus more than a week ago, WBAMA-TV reports. He is receiving oxygen and remdesivir—one of the medications given to President Donald Trump to fight his case of COVID-19—as part of his treatment at DCH Regional Medical Center.
"For something like this to hit him so hard, its heartbreaking, and I wish I could be there with him," Billings' wife, Amanda, wrote in a social media post, according to WBAMA.
Along with being a member of Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue, Billings also serves as a sergeant in the Army National Guard. Watching Billings' struggles with the virus also has taken its toll on Renee Howell, Billings' mother.
"The worst thing is not being able to touch him and to talk to him because it takes a lot of air for him to talk, so it's been difficult," Howell told WBAMA.
But the community support Billings has received has buoyed family members' spirits. A raffle has been started to help pay for Billings' hospital expenses
"It's been so nice to see his fire family, and military family, and the whole city just come together and back him to try to support and encourage him," Amanda Billings stated in an online update, according to WBAMA.
