7 Family Members Test Positive for COVID-19 After Minnesota Fishing Trip

A 51-year-old Minneapolis man told WCCO that his family had been taking precautions to avoid COVID-19 for the last several months but let their guard down at the end of July when they went of a family fishing trip.

James Cha said, “After the fishing trip, we went to the other family members’ house and had lunch without wearing a mask, no social distancing, we spent pretty much all day there." Soon after that seven of his family members tested positive. Cha was the only one with severe symptoms. He describes himself as healthy and wants people to know that COVID can sicken anyone. He's spent more than two weeks in the hospital and his family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses.

His wife, Jennifer, shared this message on the fundraising page: "My husband, James Cha contracted Covid-19 seventeen days ago. He began having difficulty breathing due to acute inflammation and infection in his lungs caused by Covid-19. Now he is hospitalized. He is being treated with Remdesivir and may need to stay in the hospital for at least a couple more days. He is unable to work. This fund is meant to offset the cost of deductibles and copays for his medical care. Any amount you are comfortable contributing would be greatly appreciated by James and his family."