Gillian Burgess, a 63-year-old non-verbal autistic woman with intellectual disability, chronic kidney disease and heart disease, died in a Specialist Disability Accommodation facility. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 on 1 August 2022 and prescribed molnupiravir on 3 August 2022. She was found unresponsive in bed on 4 August 2022 and could not be revived despite CPR and ambulance attendance. The cause of death was ruled undetermined (natural causes), though COVID-19 likely contributed. Key clinical lessons include: ensuring adequate monitoring of disabled individuals with multiple comorbidities during acute illness; recognising that COVID-19 can cause severe deterioration even with antiviral therapy; and ensuring rapid escalation and medical review when care home residents become unwell.
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