Tribute to Kingsgrove North High School student, 15, who dies in hospital from pneumococcal meningitis

The teenage boy who died following a battle with pneumococcal meningitis has been described as a "diligent and hard-working student" who was "very well liked by his peers".

A NSW Education spokesman said the loss of Osama Subuh would be "deeply felt in the Kingsgrove North High School community" where he was a student.

"The principal, staff and the school community extend its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the young man who passed away," the spokesman said.

"He was very well liked by his peers, and a diligent and hard-working student.

"His loss will be deeply felt in the Kingsgrove North High School community.

"Counselling support has been arranged and is available for students."

Earlier

NSW Health has confirmed the death of a 15-year-old boy from south-western Sydney, who was a student at Kingsgrove North High School.

While he had tested positive to COVID-19, his death has been attributed to pneumococcal meningitis and not coronavirus.

He has been identified in the media as Osama Suduh.

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant addressed the teen's death at this morning's COVID-19 press conference, where 478 new locally acquired cases and seven other deaths were reported.

A spokesperson for Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick said today the hospital could confirm a 15-year-old boy who was being cared for in the intensive care unit for pneumococcal meningitis had "sadly passed away".

"The patient was also COVID-positive, however this was not the reason for his admission and was not his cause of death," the spokesperson said.

"The patient was unvaccinated for COVID but was up-to-date with his routine childhood vaccinations.

"Sydney Children's Hospitals Network extends our sincere condolences to his family at this heartbreaking time."

Dr Chant had addressed the teen's grave condition at Sunday's press conference and said his family had given permission for his condition to be made public after it was previously reported that a 15-year-old boy who tested positive to COVID-19 was fighting for his life in hospital.

More to come.