48-year-old father Sevin Philips passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2017. He had been in the hospital being treated for what his wife called “flu-like symptoms,” but it was only after his autopsy that doctors realized the truth.
Philips had contracted the deadly bacterial infection, meningitis.
While doctors weren’t certain how Philips himself had developed the disease, they were quick to notify anyone who had been in close contact with him, like his family – and other community members who’d also been a part of his gym, the SoulCycle location in Marin.
The gym manager has since contacted all of the gym members, notifying them that they may have been exposed to the bacteria that causes meningitis. Anyone who may have been exposed has been advised to visit their doctor and be treated with antibiotics.
Another SoulCycle gym member admitted, “You hear meningitis, and you're like, uh oh. So, everybody kind of Google's it to see if something could spread to you or what not.”
Thankfully, public health officials believe that Philips’ case is just an isolated incident.
The SoulCycle gym has also had their entire facility be deep-cleaned and sterilized, and is continuing to provide ongoing medical advice to their patrons.
Everyone who knew Philips is in mourning. The man was a well-known and well-loved counselor and therapist who spread joy and warmth to the lives of everyone who knew him. “It's a really big loss but my heart is so full,” one of his colleagues said.
Our hearts go out to Philips’ wife and surviving child, as well as everyone else who knew him.
You can watch a news report on Philips’ case here:
