Teen who died of COVID-19 had no health issues, family says

CHICAGO -- The family of a 19-year-old man who died of COVID-19 said he had no prior health conditions, but that didn't stop the virus from taking his life.

Arnold Herrera died on Sunday at the University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago. His relatives said he had no underlying conditions that they were aware of, and they remain stunned by how quickly his condition worsened.

Herrera was a helper for whom the sky was the limit, his brother, Pablo Portilla, said.

"A huge amount of energy, just... 'I'm going to do it because I'm going to do it,' because I can do it. That 'I can' attitude," he said.

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The Bruno family hopes their story serves as a tale of caution for those who want to celebrate the holiday with their loved ones.