Georgia teen loses both parents to COVID-19 only days apart

ATLANTA — A high school senior and rising football player lost both parents inside of a week after they contracted the novel coronavirus from an unknown source.

Atlanta-area high school football player, Justin Hunter told WSB-TV that he plans to dedicate his last season at North Fulton High School to his parents, Eugene and Angie Hunter.

Two weeks ago, the Hunter family all tested positive for the novel coronavirus and while Hunter was asymptomatic, his mother and father both developed serious symptoms.

“They became very sick and they had the clear symptoms. Their temperatures skyrocketed. They had headaches. Horrible cough. They felt very lazy,” Hunter told WSB-TV.

Hunter said he doesn’t know where they contracted the virus despite the family taking precautions to avoid it.

Both parents were rushed to an area hospital and on July 26, Hunter’s father, Eugene died. On July 30, just four days later, his mother Angie died at the same hospital.

Eugene Hunter, 59, and Angie Hunter, 57, had been married for 35 years.

Justin Hunter told WSB-TV he will persevere following the tremendous loss.

“They never raised me to sit around and feel sorry for myself in any situation, and I just gotta keep going and pushing. I know they’re happy up there and that’s what makes me happy,” Hunter said.

Hunter is a linebacker at Johns Creek High School told WSB-TV he plans to live with relatives.

He is also urging people in his community to wear masks.

“If you don’t wear it for yourself, then wear it for the next person. Because you could be saving that person’s life,” Hunter said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help establish a trust for Hunter.

Cox Media Group