A father and son who dedicated their lives to helping others as doctors in Florida have both died of coronavirus, within five weeks of each other.
Dr. Carlos Francisco Vallejo, who was caring for up to 76 COVID-19 patients, was admitted to hospital on Father’s Day along with his dad Dr. Jorge A. Vallejo, 89, a retired obstetrician and gynecologist.
Six days later 89-year-old Dr. Vallejo dies; his 57-year-old son who works as an internist, held on for 42 days in intensive care before passing away on August, 1, NY Daily News reports.
Carlos’ family believe he contracted the virus from a patient and said many of his patients were elderly in nursing homes.
Carlos’ daughter Gisselle Vallejo said she was “terrified” of her father going into nursing homes and hospitals.
“He wanted to be loyal. It was like he was available for them 24/7. He really was the true definition of a hero. I knew that when COVID started, that he was going to be a hero,” she told the Miami Herald.
Carlos lived in Hialeah, in Miami-Dade County, close to his father who he helped care for.
“We just lost basically both of our anchors of our whole entire family,” Jessica Vallejo, Jorge’s granddaughter and Carlos’ niece said.
The father and son came from a family who dedicated their lives to medicine: 20 doctors, dentists and medical students, according to WFOR-TV.
My heart goes out to the family of these two dedicated people. Rest in peace.
We should never forget the medical staff who are risking their lives every day to help others during such dangerous and dark times, they are true heroes. Please share.
