Osama Subuh’s parents hospitalised after teen died with Covid, meningitis

The parents of Osama Subuh, 15, who died while infected with Covid and meningitis were forced to FaceTime him farewell.

The parents of a schoolboy who died after contracting Covid-19 are in hospital battling the respiratory illness but were able to FaceTime him farewell after making the agonising decision to switch off his life support machine.

Osama Subuh, 15, who is believed to have caught the virus while working part-time during a Covid outbreak at Punchbowl KFC, passed the highly transmissible Delta strain to his parents who were too sick to leave their hospital beds to attend his funeral this morning (Monday).

“Osama’s parents are absolutely devastated, they have now got Covid and are unwell themselves,” a source close to the immediate family said.

The family of Osama Subuh made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support last night after he contracted Covid and meningitis. Pictures: Supplied

“They are struggling to come to terms with how they lost their boy so quickly, and are also trying to stay strong to get through their own health battles.

“They are absolutely distraught they were unable to bury their boy themselves. What’s happened is so sad, he was such a beautiful happy kid. They can’t believe he’s gone.

“They got some time with him Sunday on FaceTime, they hoped they would get more but he didn’t make it.”

The Kingsgrove North High School pupil from Lakemba in Sydney’s West died on Sunday night at Sydney Children’s Hospital after contracting pneumococcal meningitis and testing positive for Covid-19.

The parents of Osama Subuh, who contracted Delta while working at Punchbowl KFC, are now hospitalised with the respiratory disease.

The Xbox-loving teenager caught the virus working at KFC on Canterbury Road, Punchbowl which suffered an outbreak between July 27 and August 2.

Family say the Xbox-loving teenager caught the virus working at fast food eaterie KFC on Canterbury Road which was listed as a close contact venue of concern between July 27 to Monday, August 2.

His cousin Dena Dee said, “He had Meningitis and then got Covid which made it worse and his brain stopped working. He was in ICU on life support. He has now passed away, we’re shattered.”

Labor MP for Lakemba Jihad Dib said the boy’s death was a tragedy for the family and parents of young children.

Osama Subuh’s life support machine was switched off on Sunday at Sydney’s Children’s Hospital.

“Osama’s death is a tragedy and every parent will be feeling the pain of his parents right now, they lost their boy in very tragic circumstances and now have to try to pick up the pieces to mend their own lives while going through a difficult time with their own health concerns,” he said.

“Covid is not something that should be taken lightly or for granted, it affects everyone of all ages.”

In a Facebook post he added: “There are some things that cut you much more deeply than others. Osama, this beautiful young man, with a life of dreams ahead of him, has lost his life. He was a kind hearted soul and a regular teenager who loved his sport and family. As you can imagine, his immediate family is completely devastated.”

Kingsgrove North High school principal Angelo Stasos described Osama as “noted among staff and students alike for his intelligence, hard work and kindness towards others.”

“He was a gentle soul who will be missed intensely by everyone, we are lucky to have known him for the outstanding young man he was,” a letter to parents and carers today read.

Originally published as Osama Subuh’s parents hospitalised after teen died with Covid, meningitis