Young people have been warned following the death of a Sydney woman in her 30s as a result of COVID-19.
After the death of a woman in her 30s, an expert warned that young people are at “considerable risk” from the Delta variant of COVID-19.
The woman, who lived in Sydney’s central business district, had no pre-existing medical conditions. She died Saturday night at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Campbelltown Hospital also lost a woman in her 70s from south-west Sydney.
In NSW, eight people have died as a result of the current COVID outbreak.
COVID-19, according to Nobel laureate and immunity and infection expert Peter Doherty, was much less of an elderly disease than previously believed.
“It’s tragic that a young woman died of COVID or anything else,” Professor Doherty said.
“However, I believe it demonstrates that the Delta variant that is currently circulating is extremely problematic in younger people.”
The message is that young people are at significant risk, and at a greater risk than they were with earlier COVID variants.
“Young people should not believe they are at zero or even negligible risk. Because it will kill.”
Gladys Berejiklian, Premier of New South Wales, warned that young people could fall victim to the “cruel disease.”
“If anyone believes this is a disease that only affects the elderly, please reconsider,” she said.
“I want to express my heartfelt condolences to those families and loved ones who are grieving today, but please keep in mind that younger people without pre-existing conditions can also succumb to this heinous disease.”
On Sunday, NSW recorded 141 new COVID-19 cases.
Thirty-eight of the new cases were infected while in the community, and another 24 cases were infected for a portion of their infectious period.
According to NSW Health’s Jeremy McAnulty, a teenager is one of 43 people in intensive care in the state.
He stated that of the 43 patients in intensive care, one was a teenager, seven were in their twenties, three were in their thirty years, fourteen were in their fifties, twelve were in their sixties, and six were in their seventies.
“So this is a disease that affects people of all ages,” Dr McAnulty explained.
Professor Doherty cautioned that patients who leave intensive care will “never be the same.”
“Once you’ve been hospitalized and admitted to the intensive care unit, and you’ve sustained significant damage, most likely to the heart and lungs, and so forth, your life will never be the same,” he explained.
The president of the NSW Australian Medical Association said the woman’s death served as a “very stark reminder” of the severity of COVID-19.
“Any death from COVID-19 is tragic, but one at such a young age serves as a stark reminder to everyone that COVID-19 is a serious illness,” Danielle McMullen said.
“We understand how difficult it has been for young people; I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from younger patients who are eager to get vaccinated.”
And it’s been aggravating that those who are aware that they are susceptible to COVID have been denied access to a vaccine.”
Dr McMullen urged children and adolescents to consider requesting the AstraZenica vaccine.
“I believe it is critical for people to have that discussion with their primary care physician, whom they trust to weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for them individually.”
