Tributes are flowing for a primary teacher and mum who died two days after testing positive to COVID-19
"I can’t cry anymore. I’ve never known such limitless sorrow.”
Tributes are flowing in for school teacher and mother, Michelle Hayes who passed away on Wednesday morning, 16 February, 48 hours after testing positive for COVID-19.
The 46-year-old taught at Bowral Public School together with her husband Ben Hayes, after the pair moved to the Southern Highlands from Norfolk Island.
In a heart-breaking Facebook post on Wednesday, Ben shared the news his wife had died. She had tested positive on Valentine’s Day.
“It is with such a broken heart that I’m letting you all know that Michelle passed away this morning after testing positive to COVID on Monday,” Mr Hayes wrote.
“The best part of me is gone.
“Now I have to be the dad and the mum – and I will never come close to being anywhere near as fabulous as she was,” he said.
Two days after testing positive for COVID-19 ,Michelle Hayes passed away.
The family have been unable to see visitors because they are in isolation.
“Nobody can currently come to the house because we are still in iso – please don’t – we’re even keeping my mum away … I would seriously break if anyone else got this,” Mr Hayes wrote.
“Please don’t call yet. I can’t cry anymore. I’ve never known such limitless sorrow.”
Mr Hayes urged others to take Covid seriously and do all you can to stay safe.
‘For those who think that Covid isn’t that dangerous – try losing the love of your life in under 48 hours from positive test result,’ he said.
The Hayes had only moved to Bowral from Norfolk Island in January and both began teaching at Bowral Public School.
Friends and family posted tributes to Michelle on Facebook.
“Although Michelle was only pint-sized, her passion for all things demanded triple the space on this earth. Every person who engaged with Michelle walked away a better person, such was her presence,” wrote a heartbroken friend.
“It was obvious to anyone that had been in your company that you were soul mates,” another friend commented to Ben Hayes.
In a heartbreaking tribute to his wife and mother of his two children, Ben Hayes wrote he would now “have to be the dad and the mum”.
All teachers at schools are required to be fully vaccinated. From Monday, February 28, students and staff will no longer be required to take twice-weekly rapid antigen tests (RAT).
The NSW government has said it would still be offering eight RAT kits per student and staff member to be used if they have symptoms.
