Ellen Crepaz says she was shocked when she discovered her seven-year-old son had COVID-19.
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"I'm a pretty resilient person but I literally dropped to my knees," the Port Macquarie resident said.
"It's every parents' worst nightmare to see that word 'positive'."
Mrs Crepaz wanted to tell her family's story to break down the stigma around having the virus.
"You don't need to be fearful and don't make people feel like they are a leper, because they're not," she said.
The Crepaz family went to get tested after they received an email from Tacking Point Public School, advising them one of their community members had returned a positive COVID-19 test.
According to NSW Health data, 11,901 children aged between 10 and 19-years-old have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and another 11,631 children aged between infancy and nine-years-old since the start of the outbreak.
Mid North Coast Local Health District chief executive Stewart Dowrick said over 50 per cent of active COVID-19 cases in the region are people aged under the age of 16.
"I think the best thing we can do to protect and support our young people is to ensure we follow all the important public health orders which still exist, including washing hands, social distancing and wearing a mask where required," he said.
Port Macquarie is leading the Mid North Coast vaccination race with 90 per cent of the community now fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
However, there is no vaccination available for children aged under 12.
NSW Health chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said NSW has done an extraordinary job of embracing vaccination, but rates need to increase even further to optimise the state's level of protection.
"It is incredibly important people come forward for vaccination as soon as possible, especially young people aged 12 to 15 years old," Dr Chant said.
The first thing he said to me was 'Mummy am I going to die?'
- Ellen Crepaz
Mrs Crepaz said they decided to get their children tested as a precaution, and did not expect anyone to return a positive result, given they didn't have any symptoms.
However, she received a text message to advise her youngest son Alessandro had tested positive for the virus.
"The first thing he said to me was 'Mummy am I going to die?'," she said.
As a parent, Mrs Crepaz said she felt helpless and like she had let her son down.
"Never, ever would I have expected my child to test positive," she said.
Mrs Crepaz, her husband Peter and her eldest son Toreno have all returned negative test results for COVID-19.
"I'm double vaccinated and so is my husband," she said.
Dr Chant said the latest findings from the In Focus report shows fully vaccinated people were significantly less likely to become infected with COVID-19.
"The COVID-19 Delta outbreak has been the biggest challenge the state has faced during the pandemic because of its transmissibility," Dr Chant said.
"However, this report shows vaccination has been key in protecting ourselves, our families, and the community from the harmful effects of the virus."
The family want to ensure no one else tests positive for the virus, so they've made the tough decision to limit contact with Alessandro.
Alessandro has his own bathroom and he's isolated to his bedroom.
"Near the bedroom door we've got personal protective equipment, hand sanitiser and everything there," Mrs Crepaz said.
Mrs Crepaz is the only one in the household who has relatively close contact with Alessandro, as she handles his plates, takes his temperature and monitors him for symptoms.
Alessandro has had mild symptoms, as he's had a cough and a slight temperature, according to Mrs Crepaz.
"We've had worse sinus infections than this," she said.
Mrs Crepaz said she can't wait to hug and kiss her son again.
"You can't be within two feet of your child," she said.
"My biggest advice to parents would be to hug your kids extra tight."
The family has been in regular contact with the Mid North Coast Local Health District and staff have been checking on their physical and mental health wellbeing.
Mrs Crepaz said the community has to learn to live with COVID-19.
"We can't be fearful of catching the virus," she said.
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