Taoiseach Micheal Martin has issued a warning to young people after responding to the 'terrifying' story of a young Irishman.
Ben Quigley was rushed to hospital and left temporarily paralysed after contracting Covid-19.
The University College Cork student shared his experience on social media at the weekend, and it provoked a huge outpouring of support.
Ben said he felt like he was "on his deathbed" as he was left unable to breathe.
He wrote Sunday: "Two weeks ago I tested positive for Covid-19. Today I was rushed by ambulance to hospital not able to breathe whatsoever and temporarily paralysed from the neck down.
"I was convinced I was on my death bed. I’m 20 years old. Stuff like that isn’t supposed to happen to a 20-year-old.
"Go for what it is in life you want, love and cherish those close to you, because it was only a number of hours ago I thought I’d never get to see those very people again."
And the Taoiseach has now highlighted the scary experience, and urged young people to consider
He wrote on Twitter: "Ben has very generously come on here and shared his personal experience of Covid-19. And it is terrifying.
"Any young person who thinks that Covid-19 isn’t really for them to worry about, needs to take just 10 seconds out of their day to READ THIS."
