Tributes flow for mother who died of COVID-19 in Sydney home
The Iraqi community in Sydney's south-west is mourning the loss of a mother who died from COVID-19 in her Green Valley home yesterday.
Saeeda Shawka, aged in her 50s, had refused treatment in special health accommodation after she was diagnosed with the virus.
She died three days later.
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Saeeda Shawka (left) was found dead in her Green Valley home after becoming severely ill with COVID-19. 9News
The woman was offered special care at a health accommodation but refused. 9News
Ms Shawka was the mother of two removalists, Roni and Ramsin Shawka, who were charged with allegedly breaching isolation rules when they travelled through regional NSW after being told they had COVID-19.
Ms Shawka and her family are refugees who arrived in Australia from their hometown in Batnaya in northern Iraq, which had been reduced to rubble by ISIS in 2014.
"Very quiet family they were, this has hit hard," a neighbour told 9News.
One of her sons has since posted a tribute to his mother online, which translated to "Mum, my love, you are my life, you left us, my dear Mum".
Dr Chant said the woman and her family had been offered care and transportation to a separate facility.
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The twin removalists were charged after travelling through regional NSW despite knowing one of them had COVID-19. 9News
"They made the decision to stay at home," she said.
While not commenting on the specifics of this case, Dr Chant said it was possible to "deteriorate rapidly" with COVID-19.
The twin removalists left Sydney on Friday morning and stopped at South Bowenfields and Orange, where they received a call from NSW Health and were told one had tested positive.
They continued to Molong, where they were met by a police escort and driven back to Sydney.
Police are investigating the circumstances around the woman's death. 9News
A police investigation is still underway into the circumstances surrounding Ms Shawka's death.
She is the fifth person to die of COVID-19 during NSW's Delta strain outbreak.
If you're struggling during this difficult time, there is 24/7 support available via the Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 22 4636 or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au.
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