‘A little girl, not a statistic’: Heartbreaking tribute to Qld’s youngest Covid victim

The heartbroken mother of Queensland’s youngest Covid victim says she wants her daughter remembered as a “little girl, not a statistic”.

A heartbroken mother of Queensland’s youngest Covid victim says she wants her daughter remembered as a “little girl, not a statistic”.

Five-year-old Ruby died from Covid on Tuesday after battling the disease for two weeks, her mother Ashleigh McCosker told Channel 7.

Ruby was diagnosed in 2018 with Cockayne Syndrome Type 2, an incurable, rare and inherited medical condition which left her unable to walk or talk.

Ashleigh McCosker with her daughter Ruby Boston when she 18 months old. Ruby sadly died after contracting Covid.

But her family said her “little life was one lived to the fullest”, including attending a mainstream kindy Okinja where she “made so many friends”. She was also a much-loved little sister to Sienna.

After contracting Covid two weeks ago, Ruby’s health deteriorated rapidly earlier this week.

Within hours she was on a ventilator and her heart stopped.

“They resuscitated her and I think she came back so she could give me that time to say goodbye,” Ms McCosker said.

She also said she was angry Queensland’s borders were opened before children like Ruby were able to be vaccinated, and that there should have been more support and forethought for families with those who were young and vulnerable.

Ms McCosker said the earliest she could secure an appointment for Ruby to be vaccinated was last Friday, by which time she had already contracted Covid.

“She caught the virus before I could get her that little bit more immunity,” she said.

However, her family said they also acknowledged Ruby’s genetic condition may have “ultimately run its course, with sufferers of this syndrome having a life expectancy of 5 to 7 years”.

Little Ruby Boston sadly lost her life after contracting Covid. Picture: GoFundMe

Ruby’s aunt Lucinda Jeffery, who has organised a GoFundMe page for the family, wrote “we really just wanted the world to know, she wasn’t just a child who died with Covid, she was someone’s child, she was my sister Ashleigh’s beloved daughter and her name was Ruby”.

“Ruby was a much loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend to many.

“Her little bug eyes from her glasses were adorable and her infectious smile and spirit lit up the world.”

Ruby’s death was announced on Wednesday by Queensland chief health officer John Gerrard, though she was not named, saying it was “very sad”.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also sent her condolences, saying “it’s a very sad duty today to have to report our first young child that has passed away due to COVID”.

“A young child under the age of 10.

“It’s absolutely devastating to wake up to hear that news.”