3 people with multiple pre-existing medical conditions pass away due to COVID-19

3 people with multiple pre-existing medical conditions have passed away due to COVID-19 in the Central Division since last week.

The first death is of a 64-year-old woman who was fully vaccinated and had received the first booster dose died on Sunday.

She was admitted to the CWM Hospital with respiratory distress before she passed away on Sunday.

The second death is of a fully vaccinated 86-year-old man who died at home on Sunday.

The third death is a unvaccinated 77-year-old woman who died at home last Monday.

Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong says all three deaths also highlight the need for early presentation for medical care.

Dr Fong is urging everyone especially people over the age of 50, and anyone with underlying medical conditions to get vaccinated, and get their first and second booster doses when due.

He says we must also be aware that the elderly, and people with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

Dr Fong adds people in this group with COVID-19 symptoms must come forward to be tested, put onto a monitored care pathway by a medical provider, and immediately brought to the hospital if severe symptoms are present.

He says in recent months, severe disease and death have only been seen in people with significant underlying medical conditions and the elderly.

Dr Fong further says until very recently, deaths have been of people who were not vaccinated or had not received a booster dose.