CENTERVILLE, Utah — Twenty-three-year-old Centerville man Matt Newey returned home with COVID-19 after a ski trip to Steamboat Springs. He spent his time in self-isolation documenting his journey so that he can show the younger generations, just how serious the virus can be.
Newey started to experience symptoms just days after returning to Utah. Turns out, he wasn't alone.
“My buddies all texted in the group chat and they were like 'hey is anyone feeling kind of weird today?' and we all kind of chipped in like, "yeah I feel kind of funky too, what’s going on?" And we were like "oh hopefully it's not COVID- 19", you know kinda joking around," He said.
Newey said it started with fatigue, then came the body aches, and then the cough.
"It felt like I was breathing through a straw," he said.
After testing positive for COVID-19, Newey insisted that his friends who were also on the trip, get tested. All four friends came back with positive tests for COVID-19, Newey's family did not contract the virus.
The Utah Department of Health recommends if you tested positive for COVID-19 you should stay isolated from other people until you have been fever-free and your symptoms have gotten better for at least 3 days and it has been at least 7 days since you first got sick. For updated information of what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 click here.
Newey was cleared from his quarantine of March 25. Even though he was cleared, Newey and his family decided to remain in quarantine for one more week just to be safe. They discontinued their quarantine on April 1.
Newey still says his lungs have not fully recovered and that he still can't smell or taste. He urges everyone to take the virus seriously, especially the younger generations.
“I hope I can bring awareness by sharing my videos especially to those my age, who may not be taking it as serious," he said. "I understand it's super hard to live in the pandemic being neglected of these things but I just want to emphasize how important and worth it, it is to follow these guidelines, because in the end we will look back and be happy if we took the extra precautions to protect our loved ones."
To watch his self produced COVID-19 story click here.