Kenneth Colley, the Star Wars actor, dies aged 87 from Covid‑19–related pneumonia
Kenneth Colley
, the steely-eyed British actor best known for his role as Admiral Piett in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, has died. He was 87. With his gaunt features and quiet authority, Colley stood out in a galaxy packed with larger-than-life characters—earning a rare return for a second film as Darth Vader's highest-ranking officer.
His agent, Julian Owen, confirmed that Colley died on June 30 at a hospital in Ashford, England, from complications of pneumonia after contracting COVID-19. He had injured his arm in a fall and became ill while hospitalized, an all-too-familiar trajectory during the pandemic years, when hospital-acquired infections sharply increased pneumonia risk, particularly among the elderly.
Coronavirus and Pneumonia
Image credits: X
While many people who contract COVID-19 only feel symptoms similar to a rough seasonal bug, there are others for whom the virus takes a sharper turn.
In some cases, the symptoms can spread into the lungs and trigger pneumonia across both. COVID-related pneumonia has proven to be especially aggressive and, at times, fatal.
Pneumonia: Risks, symptoms, and what it is
Image credits: X
Pneumonia itself isn't new. It's an infection of the lungs where the tiniest air sacs, known as alveoli, become inflamed. In severe cases, these sacs flood with fluid or pus, cutting off oxygen and making every breath feel like a struggle. People often report exhaustion, chest discomfort, fever, and a cough that doesn't let up.
Treatments range from over-the-counter fever reducers to hospital care with oxygen or, in the worst scenarios, ventilators.
Though pneumonia can follow colds or flu, it's not limited to viruses. Bacteria, fungi, or any other invading organism can be behind it. But what sets COVID-19 pneumonia apart is how quickly it can escalate. Preliminary signs of COVID-19 include: fever, a dry cough, shortness of breath, Fatigue, chills, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, loss of smell or taste, sore throat, runny nose, pinkeye, and skin rashes.
If your COVID-19 infection begins to develop into pneumonia, the symptoms can also include rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, dizziness, and heavy sweating.
People who are most at risk are older people, above the age of 65 in general, and even more so if past 85. Further, people who are already dealing with chronic diseases like asthma, heart disease, and liver disease are also at risk due to weak metabolism and immunity.
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