COVID-19 patient's last words to nurse: 'I thought this was a hoax, but it's not'

As people across the United States continue to ignore the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, medical professionals like Jane Appleby, Chief Medical Officer at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, are feeling compelled to speak out.

In video shared by NBC News 4 San Antonio, Appleby can be seen explaining what COVID-19 cases have been like across her city, and recalling a tragic tale of a coronavirus patient's last words to a nurse.

"I heard a heartbreaking story this week. We cared for a 30-year-old patient at Methodist Hospital who told their nurse that they attended a 'COVID party,'" Appleby says. "This is a party held by somebody diagnosed with the COVID virus, and the thought is that people get together to see if the virus is real and if anyone gets infected."

"Just before the patient died, they looked at their nurse and they said, 'I think I made a mistake. I thought this was a hoax but it's not,'" Appleby continues. "This is just one example of a potentially avoidable death of a young member of our community, and I can't imagine the loss of the family."

Though there's been a great deal of skepticism surrounding the idea of intentional COVID parties, if you attend a gathering with a large number of people and don't take accurate safety precautions, such as social distancing, wearing a mask, and sanitizing your hands, you're undoubtedly putting yourself at greater risk of contracting the virus.

In the video above, which is featured in the NBC News 4 San Antonio article, Appleby explains that lately, San Antonio has been seeing the coronavirus "affect a broader age range of people, including young people in their 20s and 30s."

"In Methodist Hospital today we have several 20-year-olds and several 30-year-olds that are critically ill," she says. "Some of these younger folks come to the hospital for treatment and can be discharged home, yet others become ill very quickly and require intensive care."

While Appleby notes that she doesn't want to be seen as "an alarmist," she hopes that sharing these heartbreaking "real-world examples" will help people realize that they need to take this virus more seriously.

"We care deeply about the citizens of San Antonio, Texas, and we are here to help you. At the same time, we hope that you don't need our help," Appleby says. "Please wear a mask, stay at home when you can, avoid groups of people, and sanitize your hands."

Appleby also stresses that you should not feel as though you are in any way immune to COVID-19.

"What we've learned about this virus is it doesn't discriminate, and none of us are invincible," she says.