NBC Virologist Joseph Fair Says He Got COVID-19 despite Taking Necessary Precautions

Leading expert on the novel coronavirus, Dr. Joseph Fair shared that he contracted the disease and is currently in the hospital after people started “wondering” where he had been.

NBC News contributor and virologist Dr. Joseph Fair announced that he contracted COVID-19 on Wednesday morning on social media.

Dr. Fair became one of the most knowledgeable experts on the novel coronavirus for NBC, but people started noticing that he hasn’t appeared on the “TODAY” show since late April.

ANNOUNCING HIS DIAGNOSIS

Clearing up the reason behind his absence, Dr. Fair shared his diagnosis and his journey with the disease thus far via social media and during an interview with “TODAY.”

“My friends wondering where I’ve been: I came down with #COVID19 & am hospitalized. I’m on the other end of it, but not out of the woods yet. I used max precautions but still managed to contract it. Back as soon as I’m able, friends,” Dr. Fair wrote alongside a picture of him in a hospital bed with a nebulizer to help him breathe.

HOW HE POSSIBLY CONTRACTED THE DISEASE

After revealing his diagnosis, Dr. Fair told “TODAY” that possibly contracted the disease during a recent flight from New York to New Orleans. Even though he had thoroughly masked and gloved himself, the flight was full, and he ended up seated right next to another person.

Once back home, Dr. Fair went to get supplies at the grocery store and used “max precautions” during the trip. However, “three to four days” after the flight, Dr. Fair said that he developed a slight fever in conjunction with muscle aches and “a complete lack of appetite.”

WHEN HE LANDED IN THE HOSPITAL

With the symptoms of the disease “just so variable,” Dr. Fair battled it out at home by treating his fever with Tylenol, plenty of fruits and fluids, but then his symptoms took a bad turn last weekend.

Dr. Fair awoke on Saturday, unable to breathe properly, and by Monday, he had to call an ambulance since he “couldn’t take a full breath.” Tulane Medical Center admitted Dr. Fair, who had developed a bacterial lung infection, and they administered four tests for the novel coronavirus.

All four tests came back negative, but Dr. Fair’s doctor does not doubt that he indeed contracted COVID-19. Currently received treatments through an oxygen mask, Dr. Fair asked only to be intubated if “there was no other choice.”

HE'S CONDITION IS IMPROVING

Thankfully, Dr. Fair appears to be on the mend, and after three days of responding well to the oxygen, he is breathing much better, although still a little short of breath.

During one of his last appearances on the air on the “TODAY” show before contracting the virus, Dr. Fair said that there is a possibility that the virus could let up this summer, even though “it’s still too early to know.”

While medical personnel around the world remain dedicated in the battle against the disease, an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Elvis Francois from Minnesota took his contribution one step further.

To spread hope to all during this difficult time, Dr. Elvis L. Francois showcased his beautiful voice by singing a rendition of the song "Imagine" by John Lennon while his colleague, William Robinson accompanied him on the piano.