‘Truly hideous’: Triple vaxxed MP shares Covid experience

A prominent and otherwise healthy Tasmanian politician warns “you don’t know how your body will react” as she emerges from a nasty bout of Covid-19.

PROMINENT Labor MP Michelle O’Byrne has described Covid as “truly hideous” and says “I don’t remember feeling so ill”.

Ms O’Byrne, 53, a former health Minister who is triple vaccinated, posted a photo on her personal Facebook page on Saturday and urged people to get keep safe, vaccinated, wear masks and sanitise.

“Well here is my ‘Day 9 of Covid and finally feeling a bit normal photo’,” she wrote.

“Sitting quietly outside, showered and dressed for the first time.

“I know many people who have had mild Covid, and some that have been quite ill.

“I’m triple vaxxed but ‘moderate’ Covid still knocked me for a six. I don’t remember feeling so ill. Day 2-5 were truly hideous.”

Labor member for Bass Michelle O'Byrne at home today has described Covid as "hideous".

Ms O’Byrne told the Sunday Tasmanian she tested positive on January 20 just two weeks after walking Ben Nevis, a short but steep climb north of Ben Lomond. She said her symptoms included a throat so sore she could barely swallow, aches and fatigue.

“I’ve done nothing, I haven’t had the energy to even watch TV or read,” Ms O’Byrne said.

On her Facebook post she said her recovery was slow but constant.

“I’ve heard people say ‘well we are going to get it anyway, may as well get it over with’. Please don’t.

Labor MP Michelle O'Byrne completed a three day trek through the Walls of Jerusalem in December last year.

Michelle O'Byrne is a regular bushwalker and has completed many Saturday parkruns in Launceston.

“You don’t know how your body will react. And you miss things. I missed hugging my daughter goodbye as she headed back to uni, I haven’t been able to provide the support to my Mum that I normally do, I missed my friend Peter Garret and Midnight Oil, I missed important time with friends that can’t be replaced.

“And for those who say just keep healthy – I climbed a mountain a fortnight before being laid low.

“Please get vaccinated and boosted, wear your masks safely, keep your distance, wash up and sanitise and remember that this is an airborne disease.”

Ms O’Byrne said she regularly walked between five and eight kilometres a day and takes part in Saturday parkruns.

‘Head was pounding’: Tassie ICU patient tells of Covid pain

TASMANIA’S first Covid intensive care patient since borders reopened has told how her mild symptoms worsened and she was “in and out of consciousness” as doctors worked to stabilise her low blood pressure and high heart rate.

Maddie Clarke, 23, a Hobart administration officer, has fully recovered with no lasting symptoms and has returned to work.

“Things can go downhill extremely quickly for someone who is healthy, let alone someone who has pre-existing conditions,” she said.

“Covid is here and unfortunately we have to learn to live with it.

“We need to protect our children and anybody who is vulnerable.”

Ms Clarke, who has Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, low blood pressure, a neurological disorder, and anaemia, developed mild Covid symptoms including a fever, sore throat and loss of smell on January 13.

Maddie Clarke of Hobart who was the first Tasmanian in ICU with Covid after the borders opened on December 15th. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The next day she was lethargic, dizzy and could not consume any food or fluids.

“I remember just staring at the ceiling being unable to move due to the aches and pains and my head was pounding,” she said.

“I called Public Health shortly after I got a positive RAT as I wanted to apply for Covid@home and let them know about my positive result.

“While on the phone I was advised that I was unresponsive for over a minute and sounded like I was having what they described as a seizure.

“I was hoping to avoid a hospital admission if I could and be given some information to manage my symptoms at home.

“Health Direct told me I should call an ambulance due to having no history of seizures.

“I was told that all ambulances were ramped and they were short staffed but by then I was unable to walk.”

Maddie Clarke of Hobart who was the first Tasmanian in ICU with Covid after the borders opened on December 15th. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Clarke has little recollection of what happened during her stay in hospital and has praised paramedics and hospital staff.

“I don’t remember too much, I remember a team of doctors coming in and advising that my vital signs were extremely unstable and I was being moved to another area for intensive care.

“I was in and out of consciousness during this time and doctors were trying to raise my blood pressure which was extremely low and to control my heart rate which was irregular and fast.

“I was briefly advised during the night that they were placing an arterial line (a needle into an artery in my arm) to help control my blood pressure and monitor my vital signs more closely.

“I was extremely upset and scared by this point and honestly thought I might die.

“I remember the nurses holding my hand on the opposite side and reassuring me that I was going to be okay.”

Maddie Clarke of Hobart who was the first Tasmanian in ICU with Covid after the borders opened on December 15th. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

She was moved out of intensive care the next day and sent home from hospital five days later.

Ms Clarke, who is fully vaccinated, said it was “extremely hard” being away from her fiance and three-year-old son.

“Luckily I was still able to Facetime them and see their faces which really helped my mental health while stuck in a hospital bed.

“The nurses and doctors were nothing short of amazing during my stay.

“Since returning home I have made a full recovery with no long lasting side effects. I am back at work full time and my workplace has been extremely supportive.

“Covid worsened my conditions which ultimately led me to being hospitalised.”

Tasmania’s Covid case plateau continued on Saturday with 683 news cases recorded as 690 people left isolation. Seventeen people – seven of whom are being treated for Covid specific illnesses – remain in hospital, with one in ICU.