Nelson, Velazquez still battling effects of COVID; City staff dealing with outbreak

From Staff Reports

The Apopka City Council meeting last Wednesday was absent two members, as both Mayor Bryan Nelson and Commissioner Diane Velazquez tested positive for COVID.

Nelson was available by phone at the meeting and described his experience.

"I tested on Tuesday morning and obviously came straight home," he said. "My sympathies also to Commissioner Velazquez. I know she isn't doing as well as I am. So hopefully she'll get to feeling better quickly as well."

Velazquez also tested positive on August 17th but was not available during the meeting in person or by phone.

Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson

On Friday, Nelson's wife Debbie provided an update about their condition on her Facebook page:

"Bryan Nelson and I are out of commission for a bit with COVID," she said. "We have both had a respiratory illness for weeks and have repeatedly tested. Finally caught up with us. We have both been fully vaccinated."

The post received over 150 likes and over 300 comments as of Sunday afternoon.

Velazquez also posted an update on Friday about her condition, as well as her husband Ed on her Facebook page:

"Ed and I want to thank everyone who sent us their well-wishes during this past week. We tested positive for SARSCovid2 on August 17th. In a matter of hours, I went from feeling good to spiraling down with a chronic cough I couldn’t control - chills, fever, and having no energy at all; every bone in my body ached; loss of appetite.

I slept trying to gain energy to no avail. It was scary and concerning. I was able to only keep water down. This morning [Friday, August 20th] I was able to go online to a site that was offering Regeneron Covid Fusion. The closest location was in Ormond Beach (no prescription needed). Today, feeling motivated and able to finally get out of bed, we drove to Ormond Beach and submitted to the Fusion treatment. This fusion took six needles: two in each arm and two in our stomach.

I have not openly advocated for vaccinations; it is so personal but I will attest... Ed and I finally did get our vaccination early this month. I feel that the first vaccination is helping us from ending up in a hospital. This is a very bad variant and contagious. Please take extra care of your health. It knocked me completely off my feet. I never felt so sick and scared and praying.

Today, I was able to do something we all take for granted. Getting up from bed to take a simple shower. I was unable to even sit up without feeling completely exhausted. The photo below leaving the Senior Center in Ormond Beach. Now we rest and pray it will do its magic and ward off the extreme effects of this Delta variant. We are home-bound. Thank you to each who sent me a text and offering any help. But most importantly, for your prayers."

Ed Velazquez, and Apopka City Commissioner Diane Velazquez on their way home after receiving treatment for COVID.

The post received over 200 likes and over 250 comments as of Sunday afternoon.

During the meeting, Nelson also confirmed that public services employees in Apopka have dealt with an outbreak of COVID-19 of its own.

"It's been a challenge," said Nelson. "Twenty-five percent of the employees in public services have been out with COVID. There have been days when we barely had enough sanitation drivers... barely enough folks in dispatch. We've had to struggle to get through this second wave of COVID-Delta variant. But everybody's picked up the slack and staff has done what they need to do so that we didn't miss a beat. I couldn't be more proud of them."

He also announced a potential plan to assist Apopkans who are fighting COVID-19.

"I'll be coming back next Council meeting with some ideas to help out folks that have come down with COVID... so Edward and I are working on a plan and we will bring that back to you at the next meeting."

The thoughts and prayers of The Apopka Voice are with Mayor Nelson, Commissioner Velazquez, and the City employees who are dealing with COVID. Get well soon!