15-year-old Osama Suduh dies in hospital while infected with Covid

A 15-year-old boy from Sydney’s southwest has died of meningitis while infected with Covid, making him the youngest Australian to die while battling the virus.

A smiling teen has become the youngest Australian to die while having Covid-19.

Osama Suduh, 15, was from Sydney’s southwest, which has remained the state’s epicentre of the Delta outbreak.

Authorities confirmed on Sunday that although the teenager tested positive to the virus, the reason for his admission was because he had pneumococcal meningitis.

The devastating case came as NSW recorded 415 new local infections of Covid-19 and another four people died.

Authorities confirmed 381 cases were in hospital with 62 in intensive case and 55 of them were unvaccinated while seven had their first dose.

Osama Suduh, 15, died in hospital on Sunday after contracting Covid-19 and meningitis. Picture: Facebook

Before his death, chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said Osama’s family had given their permission for details about his case to be shared with the public.

“This has been cleared by his family. I can confirm that there is someone admitted to hospital that is 15 and that the cause of their admission, whilst they are Covid positive, is related to another health condition,” she said.

“The family has agreed that we can indicate that he has pneumococcal meningitis.”

It is not clear if he caught Covid before or after developing the other condition.

The Kingsgrove North High School student was ineligible for the Covid-19 vaccine and Dr Chant said she wasn’t aware of his pneumococcal meningitis immunisation status.

Osama was understood to have died on Sunday prompting hundreds to post messages of support on social media.

Osama Suduh, 15, was known as a smiley boy. Picture: Facebook

Posters hoped his life support would not be turned off and urged people to pray for his recovery.

“Please I’m urging you all to make sincere Dua for our young brother Osama 15 years old who’s currently on life support,” a post on the popular Request Dua Facebook page said.

“This is every parents (sic) worst nightmare Ya Allah help this family and all who know and love Osama. Remove this anguish and pain with calmness and ease.”

The post had almost 500 comments and likes and was shared widely by about 100 people over the weekend.

“Dear friends and family, this boy is fighting for his life! Please can everyone make dua, as that’s all that we can do at the moment … may we see you again with your big smile,” a tribute read alongside a picture of the young boy.

Comments praying for his recovery flooded in, with one person writing: “No words, and every thought and wish that he gets better.”

“May Allah cure him from all illnesses and bring him back to his family as he was before,” another wrote.