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Ky. fire chief on ventilator with cancer, COVID-19

Zoneton Fire Protection District Chief Rob Orkies was diagnosed with cancer shortly before he contracted the virus

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Photo/Taylorsville-Spencer County Fire Protection District

By Laura French

ZONETON, Ky. — A Kentucky fire chief battling both cancer and COVID-19 has been placed on a ventilator, according to his department.

Zoneton Fire Protection District Chief Rob Orkies contracted COVID-19 shortly after being diagnosed with skin cancer and starting chemotherapy, according to WDRB. He has been hospitalized since Nov. 9 and was placed on a ventilator on Nov. 19.

“The family tells us they have heard encouraging reports from the hospital. He is still ventilator dependent and in the ICU, so please continue praying as he has a long way to go,” the fire protection district wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Last week, firefighters and family members visited Orkies from outside his second-floor hospital room using a ladder truck. The district is also selling #8101Strong bracelets to show support for the chief.

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