MESA, AZ – Arizona saw a peak in COVID-19 numbers on Thursday. The Arizona Department of Health has reported 9,913 new cases and 297 additional deaths since Wednesday.
These numbers represent real people and families in Arizona, including the Lechuga family in Mesa.
Rogelio Lechuga nicknamed “Ro” passed away on October 26 to COVID-19. He was 44 years old.
His wife Susan said Rogelio was a family man. He was born in Mexico and moved here when he was young, and he worked hard to take care of his wife and three children.
“He went to school while working 80-hour week so he could take care of us,” Susan Lechuga said.
Susan and Rogelio were married when they were 19 years old. She said he is their light.
“Rogelio can make you laugh, and he was just my whole world, he changed me into who I am today,” Susan said.
Susan said the family was careful and followed COVID guidelines when Rogelio became ill at the end of October. Susan thinks he got COVID from a colleague. Rogelio, who already had pre-existing conditions, passed away a few days later.
“I would give my house, I would give my car, and I would give any money in the bank to have my husband by my side. I want people to understand that COVID is real.”
Arizona on Thursday reported a record high number of hospitalizations and 7 days-and-averages of cases and deaths.
“We need to love each other as a country, as a state. Instead of being so selfish, just do what we have to do to bring these numbers down,” Susan said.
Susan hopes other families do not have to suffer like this, and she is determined to keep stopping the spread.
“I could say, forget it, I did everything right and looked where it got me. But no, I’m still masking, I’m still disinfecting, I still have social distance.”
Susan and her children recently moved to California to be closer to family.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for the family.