Doctor whose husband died of COVID-19 stays strong for son with autism

A doctor who lost her husband to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is staying strong for their only child with autism.

Dr. Evalyn Macasaet, the widow of the late anesthesiologist Greg Macasaet, has also contracted the virus.

In Cedric Castillo's report for "24 Oras," she shared that she needs only one more negative test to be cleared from COVID-19.

"There was a time na it's so difficult, I felt it's so easy to give up," she said.

Evalyn suffered from diarrhea, vomiting, fever and pneumonia, but she soldiered on for the sake of her 26-year-old son Raymond.

"Nag-usap kami sa phone and also in his Viber calls and then sabi niya, 'Mommy I miss you please get home soon,'" she shared. "Sabi ko there's only one option and that is to recover."

Before Greg died, he asked friends and family to take care of his wife and child, especially with Raymond's condition.

"If Ateng survives, then my wish for her and Raymond for a long and happy life will bear fruition!" the late doctor said.

According to the Department of Health, 1,062 healthcare workers have tested positive for COVID-19. Among them, 422 are doctors, 386 are nurses, and 26 have died.

Medical frontliners risk exposure to the virus while on duty. Many hospitals saw their supplies of personal protective equipment get depleted and some had to improvise for alternatives.

The DOH, however, said that the shortage of PPEs is not the reason for the rising COVID-19 cases among healthcare workers.

"Mga obserbasyon natin from the start ang una 'yung mga hindi nakakapagsabi ang ating pasyente ng kanilang complete history. That started it eh," said health undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire. —MGP, GMA News