90-Year-Old Belgian Dies After Offering Ventilator to ‘Younger’ Coronavirus Patients

A 90-year-old woman in Belgium died from a COVID-19 Coronavirus infection after refusing a ventilator. She told doctors to “keep this for the younger” patients.

A Belgian hospital admitted 90-year-old Suzanne Hoylaerts on March 20 when her medical condition deteriorated after contracting COVID-19. Knowing there is a global shortage of ventilators, Hoylaerts refused the life-sustaining instrument, the Daily Mail reported.

The woman from Binkom first sought medical attention after experiencing shortness of breath and a decreased appetite. After testing positive for Coronavirus, doctors placed her in isolation from all family.

As her conditioned worsened, doctors approached her about using a ventilator, she said, “I don’t want to use artificial respiration. Save it for younger patients. I already had a good life.”

Two days later, she passed away.

Family members expressed confusion as to how the loved one contracted the virus. They said she stayed home and complied with lockdown measures. They said her isolation was difficult and Coronavirus restrictions will interfere with their grief.

“I can’t say goodbye to her, and I don’t even have a chance to attend her funeral,” Hoylaerts’ daughter Judith told a local newspaper.

According to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases report by the Center for Systems, Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, Belgium ranks eleventh in the world with 12,775 confirmed cases. More than 700 Belgians died as of Tuesday afternoon from COVID-19. Of those, 4,920 reached the level of hospitalization landing 1,021 in intensive care.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior news contributor for the Breitbart Texas-Border team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday-morning talk show. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Facebook.