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Fresno Mom's COVID-19 Recovery: Family Calls it a Miracle
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
June 3, 2020

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As she was discharged from the hospital after two months, emotions overwhelmed Sofia Perez. She saw her two children for the first time since contracting COVID-19.

“It feels so good to finally see them and see my family. It gets real lonely. Being here by myself was probably the hardest.” — recovered COVID-19 patient Sofia Perez

Eight-year-old Kalaya gave her mom a big hug, followed by her son, Siah, 14. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles looked after the children while their mom fought for her life.

The 35-year old home-care provider’s voice was weak. But, her spirit was strong.

“It feels so good to finally see them and see my family. It gets real lonely,” Perez said. “Being here by myself was probably the hardest.”

As Sofia exited Community Medical Regional Center in downtown Fresno, a line of doctors, nurses and other staff cheered.

Faith Sustains a Miracle

“I taught my kids when they were small, never give up. Always fight. … I reminded her of that. Sofia mija, don’t give up. Don’t give up.” — Ruben Perez, Sofia’s father

Faith and family helped Perez pull through.

“God, of course, but just being with my family because I missed them,” Perez said.

Pastor Tirso Gonzales of Life Center Church in Fresno helped counsel the family.

“We’ve just been praying together knowing that God — as we’ve seen God do miracles before — and we believe that he’s a miracle worker. We’ve been praying and believing. That’s the hope and anchor that we have, knowing that there’s something greater than us,” Gonzales said.

COVID-19 Diagnosis and Recovery

According to her father, Ruben Perez, Sofia was initially diagnosed with asthma because of coughing and difficulty breathing. When she complained that she couldn’t breathe, her family called an ambulance.

She arrived at CMRC in early April, staying there through today.

Doctors placed Perez on a ventilator. She was in a coma and suffered a stroke while hospitalized as well.

[covid-19-tracker]

Her father said doctors had to operate on his daughter.

“She was going to die within a day if they didn’t do it. She had a 30 percent chance of not making it out of the operating room. … So, I told them, do it,” Perez said.

A Father’s Message

Perez considers his daughter’s recovery something divine.

“One of the doctors said she needs a miracle. She’s not going to make it. She wasn’t good. God started doing the miracle, little by little,” Perez said.

During her toughest times, father reminded daughter what he told her growing up.

“I taught my kids when they were small, never give up. Always fight,” Ruben Perez said. “Right before she was unable to communicate, I reminded her of that. Sofia, mija, don’t give up. Don’t give up.”

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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