Community Corner

Coronavirus Lands Healthy Anne Arundel Officer In The Hospital

"The disease must be taken seriously ... I worry for anyone who believes they are invincible and does not think they can get sick."

Being a healthy 51-year-old, who exercises regularly and being as sick as I was shows everyone is vulnerable.
Being a healthy 51-year-old, who exercises regularly and being as sick as I was shows everyone is vulnerable. (Anne Arundel County Police Department)

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — One of the county's front-line essential workers, Lt. Steve Thomas with the Anne Arundel County Police Department, takes his health seriously. He exercises regularly, lift weights and in October ran a 5K. He played competitive lacrosse until 2014, completed the Savage Race in 2015 and in 2013 ran the Baltimore half-marathon. He completed the Tough Mudders twice.

Thomas is the quintessential picture of health. So it caught him completely off guard when after lifting weights the night of March 22 and logging a session on his elliptical the morning of March 23 that he fell deathly ill later that afternoon.

At first, he spiked a fever of 101 degrees that jumped to 103 degrees. Chills wracked his body. Then a headache, diarrhea and stomachache gripped him, he told Patch.

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As soon as he became suspicious that it could be COVID-19, he self-quarantined in his bedroom and had no contact with anyone. He stayed there for slightly more than a week until his condition took a turn for the worse.

"On Wednesday, April 1, I felt like I was choking and told my wife that I needed to go to the hospital," said Thomas. "My wife dropped me off at the entrance to the emergency room. When I entered, I was immediately greeted at the door. I was one of only a few people in the emergency room and was quickly triaged and put into a room. I was put on oxygen, given a chest X-ray and tested for COVID-19. The chest x-ray showed pneumonia in both lungs and the test showed I was positive for COVID-19."

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As an officer who has faced danger more than once in his career, Thomas wasn't initially worried. He was "frustrated and tired of being sick." But, his condition deteriorated and he ended up in the ICU. Thomas' blood oxygen level was dropping and he was informed that he likely would be placed on a respirator.

"Luckily I stabilized and was not put on a ventilator," said Thomas.

While in the hospital with COVID-19, patients typically are not allowed visitors. Thomas said he suffered some depression, but maintained close contact with his family. His spirits were buoyed by reading supportive messages shared from friends, co-workers and command staff, he said.

Thomas returned to work after recovering and today feels well. He's also resumed exercising. Thomas' daughter experienced a low-grade fever for a few days and was isolated to her room.

"(She) is doing well now. She was not tested," he said.

As a front line essential worker, Thomas knows how important it is to abide by current protocol and guidelines. After succumbing to COVID-19 himself, he can't stress enough that people must take precautions.

"The disease must be taken seriously and every safety procedure must be followed. Being a healthy 51-year-old, who exercises regularly and being as sick as I was shows everyone is vulnerable. I worry for anyone who believes they are invincible and does not think they can get sick. I am also concerned for our medical care workers. I received great care, but they are being emotionally drained," Thomas told Patch.

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