Sunday afternoon around 4, Lufkin Police responded to a call of a deceased female at a home in the 1600 block of Airport Avenue. The woman, identified as 50-year-old Bretta Nerren, had been diagnosed with COVID-19 following an emergency room trip a few days earlier, according to her family.

Her family told officers that Nerren would not return to the hospital although they urged her to go back due to her declining condition. They said they called an ambulance for her the previous day, but she refused to be transported. Her daughter, who lives out of town, had last spoken to her on the phone roughly 45 minutes prior to officers being called.

Nerren’s family noted that she had a history of diabetes and had a pacemaker.

“Please keep Ms. Nerren’s family in your thoughts and prayers. We know this must come as quite a shock to lose her so quickly,” Director of Public Safety Gerald Williamson said. “If you believe you have COVID-19 or have been diagnosed and experience difficulty breathing, please seek medical attention immediately. Unfortunately, we’ve seen how rapidly this deadly disease can move.”

The Angelina County & Cities Health District was notified of Ms. Nerren’s passing.

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