The heartbroken family of one of Australia’s youngest Covid victims has spoken out after the youngster died before she was able to be vaccinated.
Ruby Boston passed away in Queensland on Tuesday after her two-week battle with the virus was worsened by her pre-existing Cockayne Syndrome Type 2 diagnosis.
The five-year-old’s devastated aunt Lucinda Jeffery started a GoFundMe to help support her bereaved mother, Ashleigh McCosker.
Ms Jeffrey said her niece had a “beautiful, bright smile” despite being left unable to walk or talk after her Cockayne diagnosis in 2018.
“Her little life was one lived to the fullest including attending mainstream kindy at Okinja ELC where she met and made so many friends, accepting of her just as she was,” she said.
“It was apparent to anyone who had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Ruby, how bright her personality was and how she knew to love and be loved.”
Ms Jeffery also expressed anger at the Queensland government for opening the state’s border before any children had the chance to be vaccinated.
“Her family believes the opening of QLD borders prior to the rollout of vaccines being available for children has contributed to her passing,” Ms Jeffrey said.
“Perhaps more support and forethought should have been given to the families of the young and vulnerable.”
Queensland opened its interstate border with coronavirus ridden New South Wales and Victoria on December 17, just as Omicron was causing cases to skyrocket.
Since travel was permitted again, the state has consistently recorded thousands of cases a day, despite remaining relatively virus free for the previous two years.
A total of 234 people in Queensland have now died with Covid, including Ruby .
But for Ruby’s family, it remains paramount she is remembered as much more than a statistic.
“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.”
