Coronavirus Love Story Shines Bright At Saint Barnabas Hospital

LIVINGSTON, NJ — She works in a busy Livingston hospital. He’s a firefighter and EMT in Maplewood. They were set to get married.

Then COVID-19 hit.

On Tuesday, Saint Barnabas Medical Center shared the story of Andrea Dello Russo, a physician assistant in its emergency department, and her fiancé, Robert Tretola, who serves with the Maplewood Fire Department.

According to Saint Barnabas administrators:

“With less than 100 days until their wedding, the couple was sidelined in late March with COVID-19. Andrea tested positive for the virus and while Robert, a firefighter/EMT with the Maplewood Fire and Rescue Company, had symptoms, he tested negative. While they were focused on getting better, Andrea explained that in the back of her mind she was also worried about whether or not they would actually be able to hold their wedding. Now, these love birds and #healthcareheroes are both healthy and back at work! The couple remains hopeful that their wedding can proceed as planned and they are counting down the days until they say, ‘I do.’ Our best wishes to Andrea and Robert for a very happily ever after! Thank you, both, for all that you do.”

Dello Russo recently posted a photo of the pair sharing a tender moment in the hallway of Saint Barnabas hospital while clad in their personal protective gear.

Fittingly, she’s dubbed it “A Modern Day Kiss.”

Hopefully, the couple will be able to carry out the ceremony of their dreams when the time comes. Gov. Phil Murphy’s ban on social gatherings during the outbreak includes weddings, and several have been broken up across the state in recent weeks.

Some nonsecular entities, such as the Newark Archdiocese, have also issued regulations that affect weddings as the state continues to cope with the coronavirus.

• See related article: Weddings, Funerals, Baptisms On Hold In North Jersey, Archdiocese Says
• See related article: NJ Coronavirus Updates (Here's What You Need To Know)

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