El Reno's first confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus has been identified as Associate District Judge Bob Hughey.

Hughey, who oversees the Canadian County Children's Justice Center, has been in self-quarantine at home since March 23.

“I went to the emergency room at Mercy in Oklahoma City,” said Hughey, who was suffering from respiratory issues.

Hughey said he was diagnosed with acute bronchitis but was not tested for the virus at that time.

“I don't recall if they told me or I was self-reflecting, but I was not running any fever and I did not meet the criteria, but I went home and self-quarantined,” said Hughey.

Hughey said his symptoms did not improve and his doctor referred him to the Oklahoma County Health Department. He was then tested at a drive-thru site located at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds on March 27 that required a special pass code to have conducted.

“What made it longer was I was told it would take two to three days to get the results. I was expecting the results to come in Monday and we did not get them until Thursday,” said Hughey.

Once the test came back positive, Hughey said he was told to remain in quarantine.

“They came back and told me there was no treatment for the coronavirus, but that we were to treat the symptoms and that is what we have been doing,” said Hughey.

Hughey says he has been doing breathing treatments with a nebulizer five to six times per day with a mixture of saline solution and Albuterol. He said he has not needed a ventilator.

“The symptoms are getting less and less right now. I get tired because of the shortness of breath but other than that I do not feel that bad,” said Hughey.

Hughey has been isolated with his daughter, Tori, but she has shown no signs of having contracted the virus. His wife, Garlanda, is staying in a hotel and is also symptom free. He said neither daughter or wife have required testing.

“I will have to check for sure but what I have heard is that you have to stay quarantined for two weeks after a positive test. That test was last Friday so we have to stay isolated for another week,” said Hughey.

Hughey said he was unsure where he might have come into contact with the virus.

“The only thing I did out of the normal was attend a couple of college basketball games in Texas two weeks before I started getting symptoms. So it's possible I may have picked it up there,” said Hughey.

Hughey did work at the justice center before going to the emergency room, even though the state has shut down all pending court cases. As a precaution, five co-workers that he came into close contact with were also quarantined.

“No one at the center has it as far as I know. I have spoken to three of the five and they have being doing well and have no symptoms,” said Hughey