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Clayton firefighter with COVID-19 out of rehab

It's been a difficult few months, but the Clayton Fire Department is sharing some good news.

Posted Updated
Clayton firefighter recovers from COVID-19
By
Jessica Patrick
, WRAL multiplatform producer
CLAYTON, N.C. — It's been a difficult few months, but the Clayton Fire Department is sharing some good news. Steve Benson, a firefighter who had been in intensive care and then rehab for months, is feeling better and back home.

The fire department posted the good news on Facebook Wednesday after Benson was released from WakeMed's rehabilitation hospital.

"Steve was one of six firefighters hospitalized in August with complications from COVID-19," the post read. "He spent several weeks in intensive care at Johnston Health before moving to WakeMed Rehabilitation on Sept. 24."

Another Clayton firefighter, Jason Dean, died from COVID-19 complications the day before Benson was moved to rehab. Dean was first hospitalized on Aug. 18.

The 42-year-old firefighter left wife Kristy Dean, a teacher at Clayton High School, and two daughters behind when he died. Numerous ceremonies and a processional were held in the weeks following his death.

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