Covid victim ‘was already ill’

A MELBOURNE man in his 20s who health officials say died from Covid-19 suffered serious illnesses, his family have revealed.

The grieving family of the young man have blasted health authorities for “backflipping” on his cause of death.

It is understood the coroner informed the man’s family that he died of cardiac arrest but later received “revised reports” that attributed Covid-19 as the official cause of death.

The man’s cousin, who did not wish to be named, said the victim had lived with a severe lung condition in the months before his death.

“He was a heavy smoker,” he said. “Everyone knew that he had lung issues. They’re reporting it as a Covid case, when it was because of lung issues.”

Victoria Department of Health deputy secretary Kate Matson said a post-mortem identified the man, who died at home, was carrying the virus.

She said details were still being gathered, but there were “strong indications” from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine that warranted it to be classified as a virus-related death.

Victoria reported 445 locally-acquired new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, with just 129 linked to known outbreaks.

In NSW, health officials have said indoor pools were likely to boost Covid-19 transmission more than ocean pools in an explanation of a rule that has frustrated western Sydney residents.

The state recorded 1127 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 and two deaths on Tuesday.

However, those living in western and southwest Sydney, areas producing more Covid-19 cases combined than any other part of the state, have had to watch as eastern suburbs locals flock to the beach as spring weather warms up. Many feel it is unfair that indoor pools should open in a Covid-safe manner in western Sydney but NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty said that would not be safe.