Naples mayor speaks on positive COVID-19 test result

Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann is quarantining after testing positive for the coronavirus.

She says she did everything she could to not get the virus, but still managed to catch it. She told us now is not the time to relax on the CDC guidelines to protect your family.

”It’s frightening because there are so many people that lost their lives to it,” Heitmann said.

She says the scariest thing about having COVID-19 is the possibility of putting others in danger.

“We had gone out with my mother-in-law for a fishing trip. She turned 87,” she said.

And when the mayor found out her daughter, who was also on the trip, had coronavirus, “I immediately called Chief DiMaria and he immediately went into action and he immediately send me to advanced health,” she explained.

Heitmann’s first test came back negative, but a second result showed she was positive for COVID-19, despite masking up except when outdoors.

”I was really careful,” she said. “I mean, I’ve been wearing my mask and I had no idea I would catch it.”

Heitmann’s mother-in-law managed to escape the virus. Right now, the mayor is conducting business for City Hall while quarantining at home with mild symptoms.

”You hurt. Your body throbs and I wasn’t short of breath, but i could tell my breathing was different,” she said of her symptoms.

Having the virus hasn’t changed Heitmann’s view on how the city of Naples handled the pandemic for stores and restaurants.

”They’ve all required masks so I’m very proud that they took the responsibility and the respect for our community upon themselves and they didn’t have to have a law that was imposed upon them,” she said.

Two city workers who were around the mayor quarantined but tested negative. they will be allowed to return to work in person Friday.

Heitmann hopes to be back at work on the 14th but will need two negative test results.

She wants to thank the community for their kindness and support.