Colorado Springs nurse fighting COVID-19 lives away from family to protect them

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A nurse at Memorial Central is living away from his family and premature baby to keep them safe amid the spread of the coronavirus.

"I told my wife we probably need to get you guys somewhere where you can be safer while I'm doing this," said William LaPalme.

His wife, 2-year-old son, and 2-month-old daughter who remains on oxygen, are now living with other family members in Colorado Springs.

"She moved in with her family. She lives with her brother and a sister in law with three kids," LaPalme said.

Although difficult, he wanted to ensure his family could be as safe as possible because of his potential exposure to COVID-19 while at the hospital.

"I was very concerned that if I brought something home to my children and my little girl I don't know if she would survive that," he said.

His wife was able to get family support with their kids, especially their daughter who was born at 37 weeks and remains on oxygen.

"Early February on a Tuesday my wife called me and said she was at the doctor's office and said the doctor says we have to have the baby this week," LaPalme said.

The closest LaPalme has been to his family is to drop off packages on the porch for them. It's a sacrifice he believes is worth taking for those he loves most.

"We try to video chat and he'll often refuse to speak to me, refuse to look at me and it's heartbreaking. Almost every night he cries and asks for dada," he said.

LaPalme says he's counting down the days until he sees his family again.

"I look forward to snuggling on the couch and holding my little girl," he said.