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A Massachusetts firefighter has been released from the hospital after being placed in a medically induced coma while battling COVID-19.
Plainville firefighter and EMT Brett Bertram had been struggling against the virus, WPRI-TV reports. Doctors were forced to intubate him for two weeks, and he even was put in a coma in order to help him recover.
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“After coming home and seeing all the people, it was a little overwhelming,” Bertram, 23, said about finally being released from Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. “Open arms and a lot of love.”
Originally, Bertram had declined to receive the COVID-19 vaccine early because he didn't want to take a dose away from an elderly patient or someone with a compromised immune system. But his own life-threatening experience with the virus has made him realize how important it is to get vaccinated.
“People should take it seriously. I almost died,” he said. “Now that I’m out of the hospital I’m definitely going to take my chance to get my vaccine.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Bertram's family to help cover the costs of his medical bills. So far, it has earned more than $20,000.
