‘I was scared I was going to die alone’: Bourne woman recounts terrifying struggle with COVID-19

BOURNE, Mass. — At least six people in one neighborhood in Bourne are recovering after contracting COVID-19.

Claudine Wrighter was one of those who survived the deadly virus and is now home with her family after, at one point, thinking she was going to die alone.

“I was scared I was going to die, and I was scared I was going to die alone,” said Wrighter.

In mid-March, after being diagnosed with the virus, the 44-year-old was placed in isolation at Falmouth Hospital. She says she had difficulty breathing and had been fearing the worst.

“Sunday night I thought it was it I rolled over in the middle of the night and I saw the call button and couldn’t breathe and I pressed and the nurses came and I remember a little of it [but] I mostly remember I didn’t say goodbye to my husband or my kids that morning," said Wrighter.

In addition to oxygen treatments, Wrighter was also given antibiotics and a drug used to treat malaria.

Wrighter says she’s thankful she was able to recover and go back home to her family, just in time to celebrate her daughter Caleigh’s 15th birthday.

“It was probably the most memorable birthday ever,” said Caleigh.

Their neighborhood came together to not only celebrate Caleigh’s birthday, but to support each other in healing. Aside from Wrighter, five others, all under the age of 50, tested positive for the virus and are also recovering.

“My husband had the symptoms of no taste and no smell so they presumed he was also COVID-positive as well as my girls, Caleigh and Brooke, so that’s six confirmed, not including presumed,” said Wrighter. “We will get through this, we need to listen to what is being told to us, we need to distance ourselves we need to enjoy the time within the four walls we have with our family because tomorrow is not promised.”

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