Florida Coronavirus: Desi-rae McIntosh, 26, dies after hospital failed COVID-19 test, family says

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – A 26-year-old Florida woman died of COVID-19 after her family says she went to the hospital and was sent home to recover without getting a coronavirus test.

As her condition worsened, Desi-rae McIntosh was admitted to the hospital on July 9 and tested positive for COVID-19. But WEAR-TV, an ABC affiliate, reports that it was too late and that he died just four days later.

McIntosh’s father said she worked on a Tom Thumb until she was hospitalized. Now, candles and flowers sit outside the service station in her memory.

“Desi was the sweetest, most honest, caring and loving person you could ever want to meet,” said her father, Thomas Frisch.

About two weeks ago, McIntosh started coughing and shortness of breath. Frisch said she went to the hospital, was diagnosed with pneumonia and sent her home to recover.

However, Frisch said he was never tested for COVID-19 at the time.

“If I come to your hospital and I have pneumonia and they don’t check me for COVID, what a shame,” said his father.

“He started coughing and so I realized that catching my breath was difficult,” said Taylor Kennedy, one of Desi’s regular customers.

Last week, Kennedy said she noticed Desi’s condition was worsening and encouraged her to return to the hospital.

“She didn’t want to upset anyone with what she thought was her problem,” Kennedy said. “So all I told her was that there is absolutely nothing that someone can buy that can replace your life.”

Frisch said last Thursday that Desi was admitted to the hospital and at that time tested positive for COVID-19. However, it was too late.

Desi was taken to the ICU, put on a ventilator, and died just four days later.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, Frisch was unable to be with her only child during the last moments of her life.

“I won’t be able to see his smiling face anymore,” she said, crying. “I won’t be able to hug her.”

Frisch said Desi had underlying conditions, such as asthma and diabetes.

However, he believes that if doctors initially tested her for COVID-19 and treated her immediately, she could still be alive.

Frisch said he did not take the virus seriously until now. He wants others not to wait until it is too late.

“I was one of those ‘Oh, I don’t need a mask, masks don’t work, social distancing is stupid,'” he said. “No, that is completely wrong.”