The novel coronavirus claimed the life of a third-grade teacher in New Mexico, according to her family and the school where she worked.
Philamena Belone, 44, died on Friday, her brother, Phillip Belone said. Previously healthy, Belone lost her battle against the virus just three weeks after she first fell ill.
It was not immediately clear if she was ever hospitalized. Wingate Principal Eric North told KRQE that the teacher’s death was a "kick in the gut" for the school community. (iStock) "Everyone I know will always say they are going to miss her smile," Phillip Belone said to local news station KRQE. "They are going to miss her big hugs and her genuine love that she had for you." Belone was a third-grade teacher at Wingate Elementary.