The deaths of nine Southeast Texans have been linked to the virus.

BEAUMONT, Texas — A Beaumont family is mourning the death of a man who has become the city's fifth coronavirus victim.

Christopher Segura, 44, of Beaumont, died on Sunday becoming the fifth fatality in Beaumont and the sixth in Jefferson County.

Segura, who died at Baptist Hospital, was a finance manager at Beaumont car dealership, Classic of Southeast, as well as a minister according to family members.

He had been sick for the past two weeks and was initially told by doctors he had pneumonia before being diagnosed with coronavirus family told 12News.

He was a minister at Borden Chapel baptist Church in Beaumont.

Segura was married and leaves behind his wife, Stephanie and four children according to family.

Friends of his tell 12News that he was a good cook and a musician.

Services for Segura are pending at this time through Cavalry Mortuary in Beaumont.

The deaths of nine Southeast Texans have been linked to the virus.

The first Southeast Texan to die from the virus was Hardin-Jefferson High School band director Mike Westbrook, of Lumberton, who died on March 27, 2020.

Coronavirus symptoms

Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.

But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.

The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.

Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...

The air by coughing or sneezing

Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands

Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.

Help stop the spread of coronavirus

Stay home when you are sick.

Eat and sleep separately from your family members

Use different utensils and dishes

Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.

If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash

Lower your risk