'COVID is not a hoax': Guilford Co. Sheriff's Deputy dies after hospitalization for COVID-19 treatment Dead at age 52, Master Corporal Deputy Sheriff Norman Daye's family warns the public: "COVID is not a hoax. COVID is real." Author: Brian Bennett, Ben Smart Published: 11:30 AM EST December 13, 2020 Updated: 7:54 AM EST December 14, 2020 GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — Family members are warning people to protect themselves from coronavirus after a Guilford County Sheriff's Deputy died following hospitalization for COVID-19 treatment. According to the sheriff's office, Master Corporal Deputy Sheriff Norman Daye died Saturday at his home in eastern Guilford County after being treated for COVID-19 in the hospital.