Coronavirus: Man hospitalized in New Jersey for COVID-19 speaks out about the virus
HACKENSACK, N.J. -- A New Jersey man is speaking out from the hospital about his coronavirus diagnosis and treatment.
James Cai believes he contracted COVID-19 while attending a medical meeting at the Westin Hotel in Times Square.
He told ABC News that he was feeling sick a few days later and went to urgent care, but they didn't see anything and suggested a pulmonary embolism. He went to the emergency room and they did a chest CT and they found a small lesion on his lung. That led the hospital to request a presumptive coronavirus test, and it came up positive.
"They are surprised it can be so bad and I'm so young," Cai said. "I don't drink, I don't smoke."
He's currently being treated at Hackensack Hospital in New Jersey.
As of Monday, he said he feels a bit better, but is assigned a nurse around the clock to monitor him.
Cai said he's been told that the hospital has a station ready for him in the ICU should his condition worsen.
"They say I should be OK, have a strong will, vitamin C, get sleep," Cai said.
He was also given medications, being used in a trial and approved by Chinese authorities, to help him recover.
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