‘COVID doesn’t discriminate’

“COVID doesn’t discriminate,” Jaime Hall said. “This is what it can do to someone’s family.”

Jaime’s husband Patrick Hall died on Aug. 5. He was 40 years old.

Patrick’s deep roots in St. Charles Parish extend beyond his family and include his schooling at St. Charles Borromeo and Destrehan High School. And although he made a home in Central with Jaime and their two children Landon and Ashlyn, he is still a well-known and loved man locally.

“We are still trying to navigate life without him,” Jaime said. “His 37-day battle with COVID-19 was a nightmare and the ending is horrific.”

Patrick’s coronavirus battle began when he visited an urgent care clinic with what he thought was a sinus infection.

“They diagnosed with him a sinus infection and gave him an antibiotic and a cortisone shot,” Jaime said. “They tested him for the flu and he was negative.”

That was June 24.

On June 29, Patrick went home early from work feeling sick. His symptoms included fever, chills and difficulty breathing. The Halls headed back to urgent care, where Patrick was tested for coronavirus.

“The next morning, he couldn’t move or breathe,” Jaime said. “They admitted him for observation and by the next day he was on the COVID unit there. He was there for just three days and went straight to ICU.”

Regular visitation with Patrick at the hospital was complicated due to quarantine mandates and the fact that Jaime, Ashlyn and Landon all tested positive for the virus. Thankfully, Jaime said, many loved ones were able to be by Patrick’s side on the day he died.

“On August 5, me, Ashlyn, Landon, Patrick’s parents and brothers suited up in PPE and surrounded his hospital bed,” she said. “It had been weeks since we had been able to be with him. We prayed and cried as we took him off the ventilator, and minutes later he took his last breath and his heart stopped beating. His soul left this earth and he was then free of pain and suffering and was back in the arms of our Heavenly Father. It was extremely difficult to let him go, but we are grateful he was surrounded by those he loved the most.”

Jaime said God and Patrick continue to watch over the family and protect them all during these difficult times.

“We continue to believe that God has a plan for us all and we must trust in Him,” she said. “It doesn’t mean that we agree with it and aren’t sad. We pray constantly for peace and comfort. We are beyond blessed to have such an amazing support system. Our family, friends, community and strangers have all come together to make sure our family is taken care of.”

The distance from Central to St. Charles Parish didn’t keep local residents and friends of the Halls from stepping in to help during Patrick’s battle. In July a fundraising dinner was held for the family.

Marcus Lambert, one of the event organizers, said the community’s support of the event was overwhelming.

“We far surpassed our expectations” he said. “To all who were involved and all who contributed, thank you.”

Lambert said Patrick will always be fondly remembered.

“We lost a good one,” he said. “The countless laughs and good times will never be forgotten. Patrick brought so much joy to so many people.”