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Ridgefield First Selectman gives first-hand account of bout with coronavirus

Ridgefield has lost 30 people to COVID-19 associated causes and is approaching 160 positive COVID-19 cases.

During the Governor's daily briefing Wednesday, First Selectman Rudy Marconi shared the story of his bout with the virus.  He says it was a multi-week ordeal that including eight consecutive days on oxygen.  Marconi said it's an experience that he would not want anyone else to have to deal with.  He called it a sobering impact on someone and a reminder of how precious life is.

His early symptoms presented as a head cold.  He stayed in bed for a couple days, got a test on Saturday April 6th and found out by Monday he had contracted the virus.  Two days later his physician recommended oxygen at home rather than going to the hospital.

Treatments included hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malarial drug, along with Tylenol, vitamins, and an anti-nausea drug.  His symptoms included aches, chills, pains, sore throat, headache and diarrhea.  He said that nausea was the toughest symptom.  In his case, all of the symptoms hit all at once.  Marconi says it was alarming for him and he was scared at times. 

“I can’t tell you how severe I felt, from laying on the floor and having difficulty in the evenings, to finally being here today to tell that story.”

His travel was limited from his home to town hall for the two weeks prior to feeling ill, so his contact with people was extremely limited.

Marconi contacted everyone through Human Resources at Town Hall and no one subsequently got ill.  He called it a strange virus that no one seems to understand.  Marconi’s wife, who nursed him back to health, tested positive after experiencing a low-grade fever that lasted a couple of days.  He credited his wife for encouraging him to walk around, noting that the biggest thing was getting out of bed to prevent clotting.  But he says it was difficult because he had zero energy.  Marconi also did breathing exercises.

When it comes to getting residents back to work, Marconi says people have to feel comfortable in society.  Until that point, he pleaded with people to continue to social distance, wear face masks and not pressure people to open.  Marconi called that the worst thing that can be done right now.  He added that the state should do it once, do it right.

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Brian Kilmeade

Local Headlines