Man Who Spoke At Anti-Vaccine Rally Dies Of COVID-19 2 Weeks Later

An indigenous elder who attended and spoke at an anti-vaccination rally has died after testing positive for COVID-19.

The 85-year-old Yuin elder, whose name was not revealed, was a cultural adviser “on health and cultural-related issues” for the Informed Medical Options Party (IMOParty) and was the key speaker at the “Millions March” rally held in Sydney’s Hyde Park on Nov. 27. At least 9,000 people attended the event.

During the rally, the indigenous elder said politicians “deserved to be drowned.” He also claimed people had “no freedom” because of COVID-19 vaccinations, adding that inoculation was the “hardest war” ever.

“There's not a jail big enough to put the b******* in. Walk them in chains. That's what needs to be done ... These b******* ... deserve to be drowned,” the elder said, referring to politicians, as quoted by The Daily Mail.

The octogenarian died Saturday morning in Sutherland Hospital from bronchial asthma and other underlying medical conditions.

The aboriginal elder’s death comes as the number of COVID-19 infections in the state of New South Wales rose to a 10-week high Sunday. Health officials reported 804 new cases that day, up from 536 recorded the previous day. At least 21 cases were caused by the Omicron variant.

The figures were the highest daily total recorded since Oct. 2, when health officials reported 814 new infections. The jump in case rates prompted NSW Minister of Health Brad Hazzard to urge the unvaccinated to get the COVID-19 vaccine shots.

"To the unvaccinated, it's not fair to health workers that you can be so selfish to think that being unvaccinated is OK," Hazzard said, ABC Australia quoted. "Give up on the current views you have and go get vaccinated."

Despite the rise in case numbers, the state government has committed to lifting COVID-19 restrictions for unvaccinated residents Wednesday. Easing restrictions would allow unvaccinated people to enter pubs, cafes, gyms and shops. Mask wearing mandates will also be eased.

As of Monday, New South Wales recorded a total of 87,248 COVID-19 cases and 640 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, according to data from COVID Live.