By Laura French
BLOOMING GROVE, N.Y. — A New York ambulance service volunteer died due to COVID-19 on Thursday night.
Sal Mancuso, 66, who volunteered for Blooming Grove Volunteer Ambulance Corps driving ambulances, was on a ventilator for almost two weeks before his death, according to the Times Herald-Record. He first became ill on March 27 and was admitted to the hospital on April 6.
Blooming Grove Volunteer Ambulance Corps Chief Brian Bates told the Times Herald-Record that he believes Mancuso contracted the disease while transporting sick patients.
Seven other members of the ambulance corps have also been diagnosed with the virus, including two who worked directly with Mancuso.
Bates described Mancuso as a dedicated volunteer who served the agency for eight years and was also a beloved substitute teacher for local school districts.
Mancuso also served on the board of directors for the ambulance corps for three years and was a former chairman of the board, according to a Facebook post by the agency.
Mancuso is survived by his wife Marie and son Brandon.