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As COVID-19 spreads through Canada and infects hundreds of people, the widow of a 51y.o Ontario man who died of the disease is urging Canadians to listen to health officials to prevent the spread of the virus and whenever possible stay at home

“I think that people aren’t taking this seriously enough” Teri Cunnington told CTV News from her home in Milton, Ont “

Sean Cunnington, a salesman, musician and father of three from Milton, Ont. developed flu-like symptoms on March 4 and began experiencing night sweats. Shortly afterward he developed a cough

Sean had a form of chronic leukaemia, but was otherwise healthy and physically active. He did not rely on any medication

After two days of struggling at home, Sean was urged by his wife to visit the hospital. He was not tested because he did not fit the criteria at the time, which specified foreign travel to any country with COVID-19 cases as a risk factor

“It was basically dismissed because he had not travelled anywhere. He’s not been out of Ontario, he’s not really been out of southern Ontario,” Teri said

Sean was prescribed antibiotics and sent home, but his condition only got worse. Five days after being sent home, Sean was admitted to hospital in Milton where doctors suspected he might have COVID-19 and tested him

While doctors awaited the formal results, Sean was moved into an isolated negative pressure room, where he was put on oxygen. Teri says healthcare workers were taking full precautions for COVID-19, wearing gloves and masks

“He just could not breathe. He could not get a deep breath. Before he was intubated he was taking these very short, little breaths and trying to get a big breath, and that was while being on oxygen,” Teri said

As he struggled to breathe, doctors put him on a ventilator, but even a maximum flow of oxygen made little difference