Young mother, who ran boutique and always wore a smile, among recent COVID-19 deaths

A young mother, who operated a boutique in the city, is among the latest COVID-19 deaths reported by the Ministry of Health.

Michelle DePeana, 41, died on Tuesday after spending several days in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Hospital but by the time she was admitted there, she was already in a critical condition.

Her husband, Ray DePeana, told the News Room that she had spent about ten days at the Woodlands Hospital and had experienced multiple organ failures; she was on antibiotic treatment, Mr DePeana stated.

He said the Woodlands Hospital did a rapid test and his wife tested negative; she did not do a PCR test, he confirmed.

When Mrs DePeana was taken to the Georgetown Hospital, a PCR test was done and she tested positive for COVID-19.

Mr DePeana said both he and their 16-year-old son tested negative.

Michelle DePeana has been described by those who knew her as very humble and as someone who was always smiling and willing to help others.