A brave Melbourne teen who almost died with coronavirus has shared her harrowing ordeal and desperate fight for life as one of Australia's youngest cases in ICU on a ventilator.
Saela, 17, and her whole family contracted Covid-19 from her baby sister's daycare in late August as Victoria's latest outbreak worsened.
With more concern about her elderly grandparents, it was Saela who ended up in hospital for almost a month, including nine days in a coma.
The Year 11 student was not eligible for the vaccine at the time.
Saela delivered a powerful address about the grave fears for her life as her condition deteriorated. along with an impassioned plea to Covid deniers and those hesitant to roll up their sleeves.
'There are a lot of people my age who think they're invincible and don't need the vaccine,' she said.
'They think they are young, they don't have underlying conditions. They won't be affected but Covid almost killed me.
Saela stole the show at the Victoria government's daily Covid briefing, where she was joined by her mum Michelle, who relived going through every parent's worst nightmare.
She hailed Saela for her bravery in speaking out just weeks after being told by doctors her daughter was the sickest patient in the Eastern Health district.
'We're not actors. This is not a script, this is on paper so I can look at it because this is so nerve-racking,' Michelle said.
'She wanted to share her story. She wasn't forced.
'Maybe anonymous people online will try and make her feel bad for speaking out but they should know nothing will make her feel worse than Covid did.'
Melbourne teen Saela (pictured left with her mother Michelle) left journalists and viewers in tears at Wednesday's daily Covid briefing as she shared her harrowing ordeal
Michelle says anti-vaxxers are entitled to their opinion.
'It's not me to force them to do it,' she said.
'I'm just here to tell my story and this is what happened to me.
'And I just hope that that person doesn't experience what we did. It's up to them.
The pair have since been inundated with an outpouring of support online from health officials, the media and general public.
'So impressed with Saela and Michelle’s eloquence and generosity in sharing what must have been a very harrowing experience,' one woman wrote.
Another added: 'Any parent listening to Michelle’s devastating helpless experience watching family members disappear alone in ambulances or hearing Saela had to be put on a
