COVID “predictor” Jon-Bernard Kairouz in hospital
Jon-Bernard Kairouz, the comedian who rose to fame for “predicting” NSW case numbers for five days in a row, has been hospitalised with COVID-19.
The 24-year-old is currently in the COVID-19 ward at Kogarah’s St George Hospital.
The Daily Mail reports that his father, Richard Kairouz, is believed to be receiving treatment in ICU.
Richard has reportedly been treated for the virus since September 4, with sources telling the publication that he was placed into an induced coma.
“He was symptomatic … and kept deteriorating,” a source close to the family said in reference to Mr Kairouz’s father.
“[He] decided to go to hospital on the Saturday afternoon. The whole family is at home in isolation.
“After predicting the COVID-19 numbers daily, [Jon-Bernard] couldn’t predict that [his dad] would contract it.”
The news of Mr Kairouz’s condition comes after Bankstown Local Court heard he will plead not guilty to inciting others at an anti-lockdown protest in Sydney on July 24.
Image: Twitter
Mr Kairouz was charged with two counts of failing to comply with noticed directions and encouraging the commission of a crime.
Allegedly speaking to the crowd of thousands during the protest, the comedian dubbed himself “the people’s premier”.
“I must say I’ve crunched the numbers, I don’t think the cases are going to go up tomorrow,” he told the crowd.
“But from what I’ve calculated there’s over 50,000 people here today.”
The following day, he was issued with a penalty infringement notice for attending the protest by NSW Police detectives.
Image: NSW Police
Footage released by police showed Mr Kairouz telling detectives to “take it easy” after being issued with the notice.
He later deleted footage taken at the protest from his Instagram account.
Image: Twitter