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A FITNESS influencer who thought Covid-19 didn't exist has died at the age of 33 after contracting the virus on a trip to Turkey.

Dmitriy Stuzhuk had been discharged from hospital in his native Ukraine after testing positive- but was rushed back and as his health rapidly deteriorated.

The fitness influencer has died at the age of 33
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The fitness influencer has died at the age of 33Credit: @stuzhuk_dmitriy
His ex-wife and mother to his children announce his sudden death on social media
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His ex-wife and mother to his children announce his sudden death on social mediaCredit: @stuzhuk_dmitriy

To his one million subscribers, the 33-year-old appeared super-fit as he promoted sports and healthy living.

But his ex-wife and mother of his three children, Sofia Stuzhuk, 25, who announced his death, said coronavirus had triggered heart complications.

After becoming ill, he had posted to his fans: “I want to share how I got sick and to strongly warn everyone.

“I was one who thought that Covid does not exist…

“Until I got sick.”

He told them: “COVID-19 IS NOT A SHORT-LIVED DISEASE! And it is heavy.”

Dmitriy woke up in Turkey with a swollen neck and breathing difficulties, he said.

When he was back in Ukraine, he was tested positive and was hospitalised.

“The hospital is completely filled with people, some of them being treated in corridors,” he posted.

He showed how he needed an oxygen apparatus for breathing.

After eight days he was permitted to leave his ward rather than remain in the overcrowded Kyiv hospital.

KILLER BUG

But after a few hours he was rushed back to hospital where Sofia said he was soon in a “grave condition” and “unconscious”.

Sofia - who has five million followers - posted as he struggled for life: “Dima (Dmitriy) had problems with his cardiovascular system…

”His heart is not coping…”

He suffered a clinical death but medics restarted his heart.

She posted: “His state is extremely grave. No-one can do anything with this.

“I did everything I could so the father of my three children lives. But nothing depends on me now... "

Then heartbroken Sofia announced his death.

The couple had three children David, Lola and Olivia. The youngest is just nine months old.

They split six months ago after she complained of “constant betrayal, cursing, showdown and stress” but recently said they were back on good terms.

Read More on The US Sun

She posted: “Only warm memories remain, three beautiful kids and valuable experience.

“God, it is so terrible to realise that he is not with us anymore..."

The influencer thought Covid didn't exist - until he contracted the killer bug
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The influencer thought Covid didn't exist - until he contracted the killer bugCredit: @stuzhuk_dmitriy
Dmitriy and Sofia have three children together
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Dmitriy and Sofia have three children togetherCredit: @stuzhuk_dmitriy
The father-of-three caught coronavirus while on a trip to Turkey
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The father-of-three caught coronavirus while on a trip to Turkey Credit: @stuzhuk_dmitriy
Covid-19 had triggered heart complications for the 33-year-old
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Covid-19 had triggered heart complications for the 33-year-oldCredit: @stuzhuk_dmitriy