The heartbroken boyfriend of a ‘fit and healthy’ 38-year-old woman who tragically died after contracting coronavirus says he’s riddled with guilt and can’t answer why he ‘made it and she didn’t’.
Brazilian Adriana Midori Takara, was struck down by the highly infectious Indian Delta variant on July 15 and succumbed to her illness in hospital just nine days later.
The finance worker, described by friends as the ‘brightest star’ died alone in intensive care after undergoing emergency surgery, with doctors finding a viral infection on her heart.
Due to Covid restrictions her loving partner Khalid, who also tested positive but has now recovered, was forced to say his final harrowing goodbye to her through the window of a Sydney hospital as family back home in Brazil said a teary farewell via zoom.
Brazilian Adriana Midori Takara (pictured), was struck down by the highly infectious Indian Delta variant on July 15 and succumbed to her illness in hospital just nine days later
‘I have my memories of Adriana, that’s all I have of her I need to stay with those now, I don’t have it (Covid) now, I’m ok, but I feel bad, I miss her, she was a modest, beautiful soul,’ the Sydney chef told the Daily Telegraph.
‘I’m angry at the situation, why I had to make it and she didn’t?’
Ms Takara contracted the virus from her roommate who works as a nurse, and despite trying to get an AstraZeneca vaccine, was denied by her doctor.
After testing positive her health rapidly deteriorated and she was rushed to hospital two days later, where she had a heart attack and underwent surgery.
She had no underlying health conditions but suffered thrombosis in the legs and was placed in an induced coma before she eventually died at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s intensive care ward.
Despite being a respiratory virus, Covid-19 can affect organs all over the body, with scientists finding damage in patients’ heart, brain and liver.
The finance worker (pictured), described by friends as the ‘brightest star’ died alone in intensive care after undergoing emergency surgery, with doctors finding a viral infection on her heart
‘She went straight into a quarantine hotel and the next day, the Friday, she was vomiting, had headaches and was struggling to breathe. They put her in an induced coma so her body could recover but she never did. It was sad, people loved Adriana, she was so sweet and loving,’ Khalid said.
In the wake of her shock death, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it serves as a stark warning to those complacent about the virus that it does not discriminate.
Ms Takara, was living in Sydney’s CBD with Khalid and on the cusp of finishing her graduate degree in accounting at the Kaplan Business School.
One of their housemates was a nurse became infected with coronavirus, sending the unvaccinated couple who would later test positive into isolation.
Just a few days later her boyfriend called an ambulance and Ms Takara was rushed to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital feeling very ‘unwell’.
Ms Takara (pictured) was living in Sydney’s CBD with Khalid and on the cusp of finishing her graduate degree in accounting at the Kaplan Business School
‘A day or two after admission, Adriana complained of chest pains. Medical staff assessed her having a heart attack,’ her friend Jules Pedrosa wrote on Facebook.
‘She needed immediate surgery and an instrument (don’t know if it was a pacemaker or otherwise) had to assist her heart to maintain a regular rhythm.
‘Adriana’s health condition worsened after a few days and further tests confirmed that her heart had a ‘viral infection’.
‘This is interesting because she and her family have no history of heart disease.’
He said her condition deteriorated so quickly that a decision was made with the relevant consent from family members to switch off the life-preserving machines.
Under Sydney’s strict lockdown rules, no friends or family were allowed to visit Ms Takara in the intensive care unit, forcing loved ones to say a teary goodbye over video link.
Adriana Midori Takara (pictured) had her life support switched off on Sunday after a battle with Covid at just 38
‘All goodbyes were said via Zoom to audiences in Australia and Brazil,’ Mr Pedrosa said.
‘Communication was one-way because she had been unconscious for several hours after her emergency heart surgery.’
Ms Coimbra, a student liaison officer who quickly became close friends with the finance worker, added that she had become debilitated ‘very, very quickly’.
‘She was very young, someone who had a future ahead full of plans and dreams. It’s so sad,’ she added.
Ms Takara moved to Australia from São Paulo in 2019 and quickly became part of the ‘family’ in Sydney’s tightknit expat community of South Americans.
One of her friends shared a heartfelt message on Facebook reminding Australians that she is not just another coronavirus statistic.
Ms Takara (pictured) had no underlying health conditions that would have contributed to her death
‘Adriana is not a number, she is a woman with dreams and wishes,’ Fernanda Ferreira Batista posted.
‘Adriana is a daughter, sister, aunty, niece and specially a friend. An amazing friend, not only my friend but friend of so many people,’
‘Tonight when you look at the sky, it will be brighter and the shiniest star will be my friend is peace away of all this madness.
‘I can’t thank enough all the doctors for doing their best.’
