Beloved Surrey music teacher continues fight with COVID-19

SURREY (NEWS 1130) — The widely-respected Surrey music teacher is holding steady while she keeps battling COVID-19 in hospital, says her husband.

Tony Lourenco tells NEWS 1130 that Darlene’s situation has been like one step forward and one step back, but now she is receiving new medication.

“She’s still on the same oxy-meter and on the same amount of oxygen that she’s been on for the last five days right now,” he says. “So the cocktail of antibiotics and stuff that she’s been on is hopefully starting to kick in and work.”

Tony says Tuesday night was difficult for Darlene, but she has been stable for the last few days.

“Hopefully have some of the antibiotics and other things that she’s been taking will hopefully take effect.”

Darlene has been moved from the ICU, but her husband says that’s only because the units seemed overwhelmed.

Tony also tested positive for the virus, but says he has felt fine. There are four days left in his quarantine period.

Tony Lourenco says they're hoping some new medication/antibiotics Darlene is taking kick in soon.
He has four days left in his quarantine – he also tested positive for the virus – but tells me he's feeling good and has been symptom-free.#bcpoli @news1130 #bced 2/2

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 18, 2020

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A GoFundMe page was set up in support of Darlene earlier this month. More than $35,000 has been raised for the music teacher so far.

“She has an amazing talent for teaching and shares her passion for music with our children daily,” writes the organizer. “Even when schools closed in the Spring, Darlene went above and beyond to create online music experiences for the families at home. She is loved so much by all who know her.”

Cambridge Elementary, where Darlene teaches, remains closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Over the weekend, one parent told NEWS 1130 that it’s been an especially tough week for the community since the community was worried about Darlene.

“Our kids are going to remember her when they’re in high school. So hearing now that they’ve closed the school, I think we all have just got a sense of relief,” Michelle Addison said.

The school will be closed until Nov. 30.

– With files from Nikitha Martins