Coronavirus victim: ‘I feel like I’m in prison’ while in quarantine in Rome hospital

ROME, Ga. — For the first time, we’re hearing from a Floyd County man who is currently hospitalized with the coronavirus.

Clay Bentley told Channel 2’s Justin Wilfon that he feels like he’s in prison, quarantined inside his hospital room.

A spokesperson from Redmond Region Regional Medical Center in Rome confirmed Wednesday night that it actually has two coronavirus patients being treated there.

“That’s just where I’m at right now. I feel like I’m in prison,” Bentley told Wilfon via FaceTime from his hospital room.

Bentley is one of a growing list of Georgians who have the coronavirus.

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“Couldn’t breathe, was having a fever, no energy,” Bentley said about the symptoms. “I’m in total isolation. I don’t get to see my family. I don’t see nobody. People come in the room here -- I’m in a locked room, and people come in here in these Ebola suits.”

Bentley said a test conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came back positive over the weekend.

“I was thinking, ‘Why me?’ Because I don’t go anywhere. I’ve never been sick,” Bentley said.

He told Wilfon that it’s possible he acquired the virus at the church he goes to in Cartersville, where he sings in the choir.

The pastor at the Church at Liberty Square confirmed to Wilfon that two people with the coronavirus did attend services at the church over the past two weeks.

Services at the church were canceled Wednesday while it was cleaned.

“I know that’s when I got sick, right after I sang in that choir,” Bentley said.

But for now, he’s more worried about recovering and said he is getting better. He believes his faith will carry him through.

“I believe that God has empowered me, gave me the energy and strength to overcome what has been brought against me,” Bentley said.

He believes it’s also possible he got the virus from his wife, who is a flight attendant, but she has shown no symptoms and has yet to be tested.

She is currently in quarantine at their home.

© 2020 Cox Media Group