Months after contracting COVID-19, a Valley man is warning others to stay vigilant against the virus.
Jimmy Flores, 30, admitted he didn't take the virus seriously and contracted COVID-19 in June after a night out at a Valley bar.
"For me, being young and around other people that were young as well and didn't really practice social distancing, I didn't really worry about my own health," Flores said.
Flores told ABC15 he spent more than a week in the hospital and required oxygen.
He said the low point was before arriving at the hospital.
"When I couldn't breathe at all, and I was really fearing for my life, I was just wondering, I can't believe this is happening to me," he said.
Flores is now an advocate for masks and social distancing. He told ABC15 he had breathing issues for roughly 45 days and has since lost much of his hair, although he feels much better overall.
"People just need to still stay vigilant," he said.
Flores told ABC15 he is still living his life as much as he can. As he runs his own business, he noted the importance of still finding ways to support local businesses while also advocating safety.
"I learned that you only live once," he said. "Just take care of your body and be smarter with your decisions going forward."