‘This is nothing like the flu’: Local high school principal tests positive for COVID-19

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A local high school principal said he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Flagler Palm Coast High School principal Tom Russell said he tested positive for the virus on Monday after quarantining since Nov. 9, when he was notified through contact tracing that he may have been exposed outside of school.

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While he said his case has been mild, he said his symptoms have been varied and worse than any case of the flu. He said he’s experienced: fever, chills, painful cramps, loss of breath, extreme fatigue, sore throat, excessive coughing, headaches, a loss of focus and problems communicating when speaking.

“Allow me to be blunt this is nothing like the flu!” Russell wrote in a post on the school’s Facebook page. “Covid wrecks the body in so many ways and never the same way twice.”

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Russell said he hopes by being honest and open about his experience, he can encourage people to do what they can to stay safe.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.