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Home / World

'Save it for the younger patients': 90yo woman dies of Covid-19 after refusing respirator

NZ Herald
31 Mar, 2020 06:20 AM2 mins to read

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A timeline of Covid-19 as the number of confirmed cases increases around the world.

Suzanne Hoylaerts, 90, from Lubbeek in Belgium, died of Covid-19, after telling doctors to save the ventilators for younger patients.

Hoylaerts reportedly fell ill two weeks ago and died of Covid-19 on March 21.

Her daughter, Judith, took her to the doctor when she began losing her appetite and feeling short of breath.

Suzanne Hayloerts told doctors to save a respirator for younger patients. Photo / Supplied
Suzanne Hayloerts told doctors to save a respirator for younger patients. Photo / Supplied

"She had pneumonia and was hospitalised last year," her daughter told Het Laatste Nieuws.

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She was taken to hospital and the doctor said her oxygen saturation was too low.

Shortly after, she tested positive for Covid-19.

Her daughter was not allowed to see her any more as she was placed in isolation.

Judith told local media her mother's last words to her were: "You can't cry. You did everything you could. I had a good life."

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The doctors told her that her mother, who died the day after being admitted to hospital, refused a ventilator.

"I don't want to use artificial respiration. Save it for younger patients. I already had a good life," she reportedly told doctors.

Her daughter says the family does not know how the 90-year-old contracted Covid-19 as she "took the lockdown seriously".

The family is now coming to terms with the fact that they can't farewell her properly.

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"I can't say goodbye to her, and I don't even have a chance to attend her funeral," her daughter said.

• Covid19.govt.nz: The Government's official Covid-19 advisory website

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