The coronavirus claimed the lives of two doctors in Florida – a father and a son.
The two doctors contracted the new virus and died weeks apart, according to multiple reports.
Dr. Jorge Vallejo, 89, a retired OB-GYN, and his son, Dr. Carlos Vallejo, 57, was hospitalized on Father’s Day and died five weeks apart, according to a report in the Miami Herald. Carlos’ son, Charlie, told the news outlet that neither had any pre-existing circumstances.
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Prior to his hospitalization, Carlos worked through the severe outbreak of coronavirus on the front lines, according to several reports. His daughter, Gisselle Vallejo, told the Miami Herald that he primarily treats patients who were nursing home residents.
‘He really was a hero to so many people. I did not even want him to go to the nursing home and to the hospitals because I was afraid, “said Gisselle.” He wanted to be faithful. It seemed like he was available 24/7 for her. He was really the “A real definition of a hero. I knew when COVID started that he was going to be a hero.”
Carlos’ family said her father followed all precautionary measures and continued treatment of patients throughout the entire pandemic. He also took personal time to make sure patients were comfortable.
“Many of these patients are scared and alone. Many families cannot say their final farewell and it is a tragedy, ”said Charlie.
Carlos spent two of his three weeks in the ICU on a ventilator, media reports said. The younger doctor died on August 1. Five weeks after learning about his father’s death via FaceTime, Carlos’ son, Charlie, told one news outlet.
“(He was) surrounded by machines and no human contact, so I think that kind of broke him,” Charlie said in the media interview.
Carlos was only two years old in 1965 when his father fled with his family to Florida on a fleet from Cuba, according to the Miami Herald. After learning English, Jorge became a certified obstetrician-gynecologist and practiced for more than 45 years, the article states. The doctor was known for delivering a 15-ounce “Miracle Baby” born at just 22 weeks, one of the smallest babies in the world, the outlet reported.
“We just lost both anchors of our whole family,” Jessica Vallejo, a grandmother and niece of the doctors, told the outlet. “In my eyes, [my grandfather] was the American dream. “
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Five other members of the Vallejo family, including Carlos’ wife, have contracted COVID-19, according to the article.
Carlos’ youngest son, Kevin Vallejo, 23, told the news that he is studying to become a doctor as well, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. However, he delayed his start at Florida International University to mourn his father, the Herald said.
