‘Wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy’: Sheriff Mike Chitwood tests positive for COVID-19

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said he has been home resting since he tested positive for COVID-19 last week, marking the first sick day he’s had to take in his 33-year law enforcement career.

“How these people go out to these COVID parties to try and get this – I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” Chitwood said.

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The sheriff said he developed a tickle in his throat Thursday, and that’s when things went downhill. He has had body aches, chills and migraines lasting all day long.

He said he went from riding 250 miles every week on his bike to not being strong enough to stand and ride the stationary bike in his house.

“When you’re hugging the toilet bowl and can’t get off the bathroom floor because you’re so sick, it’s a real thing and it worries me where it’s going,” Chitwood said.

He said he’s pushing through by taking extra-strength Tylenol for his fever, drinking plenty of Gatorade and taking the Z Pack his doctor prescribed.

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Chitwood said he is not sure how he was infected. He said he has been wearing a mask and washing his hands frequently.

He told Eyewitness News that the best thing people can do is not wait to get tested if they feel sick.

“If you don’t go and seek professional help and wait a week or 10 days, by then the worst of the worst is happening and it’s kind of hard to come back,” Chitwood said.

Cox Media Group