As the coronavirus continues to infect Americans across the country, a familiar face is sharing his story after recovering from COVID-19.
"I was at work and finishing my shift, and I noticed that I had a little bit of a headache, and maybe a little bit of a scratchy throat, and usually that would, for me, signal that I have some allergies,” says Erick Adame, meteorologist for Spectrum News NY1.
Adame was a meteorologist based out of Syracuse for nearly 10 years. He says the symptoms began on March 23.
"Sure enough, the next morning I woke up with a fever," said Adame.
After several days with lingering, but minor symptoms, he decided to get tested, but it took three days for him to get an appointment in New Jersey.
"Once I did get the test, it was 13 days later before even learning the results, and of course at that point I was pretty much fully recovered,” said Adame.
While residing on the other side of the Hudson River, Adame still works for Spectrum News, with NY1. He says the current environment in New York City is unprecedented.
"It all changed so quickly, and I think it's really given a lot of us this anxiety that we've never really felt before, because when we look outside, there's nobody out there."
With a continued need for medical support, Adame likes to hear the stories of upstate healthcare workers pitching in with the coronavirus fight.
"This has really taught us that we're all New Yorkers. And the fact that I lived in Upstate, now I live in downstate, really drives home the fact that we're all New Yorkers, and it feels good to see us helping each other."
And now, after recovering from the virus, he’s emphasizing the importance of staying the course of stopping the spread.
"I'm not one of those that is at higher risk of having severe complications from this, but I did get the virus, and had I not taking the precautions, and perhaps could've come in contact with someone who was high risk, I could have put them in high danger,” he said.
Adame began working from home immediately after symptoms first appeared.