Fort Myers nonprofit founder, Israel Suarez, says he is positive for COVID-19

A Southwest Florida man who has dedicated his life to helping others is in the hospital being treated for the coronavirus.

Reverend Israel Suarez, the founder of the Nations Association Charites in Fort Myers, says he has tested positive for COVID-19 Monday.

Suarez in isolation at Cape Coral Hospital. He says he’s had three heart attacks and says this is worse than any of them. He’s pleading with everyone to take this virus seriously.

“So when they went to pick me up at my house and they put me in the ambulance, I thought it was the last time I was going to see me wife, my daughter, my home,” Suarez said.

From Thanksgiving dinners to collecting supplies to send to hurricane-devastated countries, Rev. Suarez and Nations Association Charites have helped thousands of people since 1978.