A family is mourning the death of Vinnie Coons, 27. The Livingston County Health Department confirms Coons is the first person in the county to die of the coronavirus.

Spectrum News spoke to Vinnie’s brother, Pat, who said when Vinnie showed symptoms of COVID-19, he called a doctor who told him not to come in and to self-isolate. Pat says Vinnie’s doctor did not direct Vinnie to get tested. His family told us Vinnie was symptomatic for about nine days before his death on Saturday.

“I’m just broken,” said Pat Coons. “I’m a little angry in a way too. I think that some people have failed in stepping in to save my brother’s life. I think some steps should have been taken.”

Vinnie’s family said his body was tested after he died and they feel he should have been tested sooner. They are concerned because they say his doctor only ever directed him to self-isolate and did not give any other directives about testing.

We reached out to the Livingston County Health Department. Officials there say the department does not decide who gets tested. They say the department was not alerted to Vinnie being sick until after he died. The department maintained people should only get tested once they show symptoms in an effort to avoid testing too soon and getting a false positive.

Department officials went on to say if you are feeling unwell with a fever or cough to reach out to your health care provider and if you don’t have one, call an urgent care, hospital, or the health department at (585)243-7270.