Computer games boss, 51, dies from Covid because he was too scared of needles to get life-saving jab
A RENOWNED games developer who didn’t get the Covid jab because he had a phobia of needles has died after contracting the virus.
Stewart Gilray, 51, lost his battle for life after the virus attacked his lungs – and now widow Bec has urged Brits to get the jab, even if they’re nervous.
The veteran games creator, who lived in Aberdeen, Scotland, was part of the industry for over three decades before he passed away.
Stewart told pals on social media that he contracted the virus last month. He was admitted to hospital on December 20.
The dad-of-two then sadly died last week.
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
Bec told : “Stewart had a serious fear of needles. In all seriousness, in 25 years he had one blood test.
“He avoided trying to go to the doctor’s in case they ever needed to draw blood, but the truth is Stewart wasn’t poorly in the 25 years I knew him.
WIFE’S JABS PLEA
“He was fit – he could have lost a stone or two like the rest of us – but he genuinely believed he was going to survive this virus because he was healthy.
“Before he was intubated he said to me: ‘There’s nothing to worry about. I’m going to be fine. I just need a little rest.'”
Tragically, Stewart was suffering from an undiagnosed lung scarring condition – and Covid robbed him of the ability to breathe unaided.
In a final post to friends on social media, he said: “Well, for those that don’t know yet, early last week I (and the rest of the family) tested positive for the old COVID!
“The kids have been fine for the most part, but Bec and I have been hit the most, although judging from her own post on this subject she says I have, and tbh [to be honest] she’s likely not wrong.”
He also shared a photo of himself hooked up to an oxygen mask.
But his condition rapidly deteriorated, and despite medics’ efforts, he lost his fight for life.
Bec said: “I wouldn’t not wish this on anyone, it’s horrendous.
LAST SOCIAL MEDIA POST
“Stewart was the most generous person and had no qualms about helping anybody.
“He was dedicated to our kids, Darcey, three, and Elliot, 15.
“He loved his life, he loved what we had and what he built in his business.
“He wanted to retire early and spend more time with us – to be with the kids more.
“He had all these plans and Covid got him.
“Please, just get vaccinated.”
The unvaccinated dad established his own independent development company, Just Add Water, in 2006.
His studio was involved in the development of recent hits including remasters of the Oddworld series, a video game adaption of BBC series Doctor Who and a VR edition of shooter Sniper Elite.
I wouldn’t wish this on anyone – he loved his life, he loved his kids. He had all these plans and Covid got him
Elsewhere, Boris Johnson wants to ditch compulsory masks and working from home at the end of January — but low booster jab rates could derail the plan.
The PM yesterday urged Brits to keep it on track insisting: “We can do it, we can all get boosted now.”
And as data shows the Omicron wave peaking, the take-up of third jabs has plummeted.
Just 141,495 third doses were put in arms on Sunday — compared to almost a million a day in December. One in three eligible Brits is still not boosted.
Take-up in some areas is so low that batches of the Pfizer jab are being wasted as the vaccine cannot be stored once opened.
Politicians and medics warn that waning booster rates could delay a return to normality when the Plan B rules are reviewed on January 26.
Figures out yesterday showed there were 77 deaths across the UK, up from 42 a week earlier.
Another 142,224 positive tests were announced yesterday — down by ten per cent compared to last Monday.
In brighter news, hospital Covid patient admissions appear to have flattened.
But Mr Johnson told The Sun last night: “Two doses aren’t enough against Omicron — you need to get a booster. Three jabs will give you the best protection against severe illness which is why it’s so important people continue to come forward.”
Writing in The Sun today, top doc Sir Jonathan Van Tam stressed: “The higher the uptake for those all-important booster jabs, the fewer people end up in hospital and the sooner the pandemic will be over. It really is as simple as that.”
