Social media influencer who died of COVID used his last Instagram post to let his followers know how serious the virus can be.
Global (19 October 2020) – Ukrainian fitness influencer Dmitriy Stuzhuk died at just 33 years old after testing positive for coronavirus. The diagnosis triggered heart complications which proved to be fatal.
Dmitriy had over 1 million followers on Instagram, where he promoted his ideas around healthy living and exercise.
In a selfie posted last week – showing him in a hospital wearing an oxygen mask – he revealed he had woken up with breathing difficulties and a cough in Turkey, before testing positive for the virus after returning home to Ukraine. This was his first and last time speaking publicly about COVID-19.
In the post, the influencer talks candidly about how he never believed he would contract the virus, almost like it didn’t exist for him, but he puts out a stark warning that if someone as fit as him can contract it, then anyone can.
“I want to share how sick I am and warn everyone. I also thought, what COVID, what is this all about? Until I got sick myself.”
“COVID-19 IS NOT A SHORT-LIVED DISEASE! And it is heavy.”
A day later, Stuzhuk’s ex-wife Sofia Stuzhuk, with whom he had three children, announced on Instagram that he had died.
Sofia shared a photograph of her and her ex-husband on the beach with their children at sunset. Their youngest child is nine months old.
“For the rest of my life, I will remain grateful to you for our three beautiful children. For all the invaluable experience. And for who I have become with you.”
The reality is that for many of us, it can feel like the virus does not exist in our own worlds. Most of us have not had it, or might not even know someone who has had it. We have been locked away from our friends and family for over 6 months now, which can make one feel quite apathetic towards the pandemic.
It’s tough because many lockdowns around the world have started to ease as we start to live again… and if you have not been surrounded by COVID, then it could feel like the virus is too far out of reach to impact your health.
But Dmitriy used his last message to the world, to remind us all how serious the virus can be.
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I think many people have become complacent around the world. The reality is, the virus is still around, and deadly. Not everyone’s body reacts the same, and being fit and so called healthy does not mean that the outcome will be different if you contract the virus. This young man was fit and healthy and he still passed away. It is very sad indeed!