Sunshine Coast Covid: Son’s vaccination push after mother’s tragic death

‘If only we’d known’: The son of an unvaccinated woman who died suddenly from Covid-19 has urged others to protect themselves as his father returns home from hospital.

The son of a Sunshine Coast woman who died from Covid-19 has encouraged unvaccinated residents to “best protect” themselves from the virus.

Mark Dunlop’s mother Felinda, 64, died in her sleep at her Yandina home on January 7 days after contracting Covid-19.

Mr Dunlop, who had been awaiting the results of an autopsy, said he was told by Queensland Health staff that his mother had died from a Covid-related death.

The 29-year-old said his mother also had an underlying heart condition but said her death had been from Covid-19.

“It was from a Covid-based pneumonia that flared up suddenly,” Mr Dunlop said.

Queensland Health refused to confirm whether Mrs Dunlop’s death was related to the virus due to “patient confidentiality”.

The department also refused to confirm whether Mrs Dunlop’s death was one of the three Covid-19 deaths recorded on the Sunshine Coast.

Mark Dunlop confirmed his mother Felinda died in her sleep from a Covid-related death while his father Frank is recovering well.

Mr Dunlop, who is vaccinated, said his mother had shown flu-like symptoms in the days prior to her death.

He said the vaccine may have prevented his mother from contacting the virus.

“For myself and my personal opinion, while the Omicron is for most a mild experience, it’s not something to be underestimated. It’s worth taking as many precautions as possible,” Mr Dunlop said of the vaccine.

“If we had known about her condition we would have done something.”

Mr Dunlop said the autopsy results provided a sense of closure for himself and his father Frank, 82, who was also fighting the virus.

“It (the confirmation) answers the question and fills in that missing piece of the puzzle,” he said.

Sunshine Coast woman Felinda Dunlop with her son Mark and husband Frank.

Mr Dunlop said his father had been in a Covid ward at Sunshine Coast University Hospital for five nights and was now recovering at home.

“Healthwise Dad is OK. He’s recovering and I’m looking after him,” Mr Dunlop said.

“He’s slowly regaining his strength.

“Dad was so grateful to the care he received in hospital and so grateful for all the love and support from everyone.”

Mrs Dunlop was a much-loved member of Nambour’s New Life Church and Kawana’s Global Connexions Church.

Mr Dunlop said the support from both churches and friends and family had been incredible throughout the past 10 days.

Friends and family have paid tribute to Yandina woman Felinda Dunlop who died suddenly in a death later confirmed to be Covid-related.

He said while it was a “tough” time, he and his father were “anchored” by their faith.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone who has shown us love and support,” he said.

Mr Dunlop said his mother would be farewelled at Gregson and Weight Nambour from 1pm on Thursday, January 27.

Queensland’s chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said new statistics showed unvaccinated residents would be 24 times more likely to end up in intensive care than those who are triple vaccinated.

Dr Gerrard’s stark warning came as Queensland Health statistics confirmed there were 823 new cases recorded throughout the Sunshine Coast on Monday morning taking the region’s total since the start of the pandemic to 13,703.