Heartbreak
as coronavirus victims die alone after being put in isolation
A grieving daughter has said her mother's death was "even more devastating" because she was unable to hold her hand.
Monday
16 March 2020 23:12, UK
Grieving families have been unable to
say goodbye to loved ones.
The
relatives of people who died after becoming infected with the coronavirus have
expressed their heartbreak at not be able to be with their loved ones in their
final moments.
Caroline
Hopton's mother had been put into isolation because of the virus meaning
relatives couldn't be by her side before her death.
Ms
Hopton wrote on Twitter: "COVID-19 stopped me holding my dearest mum's
hand in her final moments last night.
"She died alone in isolation after being admitted
early Saturday AM (sic) and was put in isolation 'just in case'.
"It made losing her even more devastating.
"How many other families will go through the
same?"
His
daughter-in-law Allie Crewe said it was a "difficult and tragic
death" for the family on Friday due to Mr Blakeley's separation in
quarantine.
She
added that Mr Blakeley could not be treated for an underlying health condition
"due to coronavirus restrictions".
Ms
Crewe wrote on Facebook: "The hospital were really super and tried to
support us as much as possible, their kindness helped a lot.
"Not
being able to sit with him was very hard for us. He remained in quarantine in
an air locked room.
"This
has been quite a difficult and tragic death, so send love and light."
Friends
of Mr Blakelely, a church choir singer from Middleton, Greater Manchester, said
he contracted the virus at a restaurant after coming into contact with a skier
returning from Italy.
The
granddaughter of a 97-year-old coronavirus patient who died in northern Italy
has told Sky News of her devastation that she never had the chance to say
goodbye.
Dr
Vanessa Diaz, who lives in the UK, was unable to make the trip to be with her
grandfather.
She
said: "It is difficult for me because my family were in the epicentre of
the outbreak.
"My
mum kept me updated while I was here in the UK, but there was very little I
could do.
"This
is such a strange situation to be in. It is so hard losing a family member.
Knowing what I know first-hand, I am worried about what will happen in the UK
next."
Dr
Diaz, a professor of healthcare engineering at University College London (UCL),
said her grandfather had underlying health conditions.
She
continued: "My grandfather was 97. He woke up in the morning around seven
with a high temperature and when my mum rang for an ambulance, she was told the
hospitals were swamped and the virus was everywhere.
"They
said it was better for him to stay at home, with the people he loved. By eight
o'clock that evening he was dead."
The
man's daughter and other relatives who had come into close contact with him are
in self-isolation and have since been tested for the coronavirus.
They
are now awaiting results.
Dr
Diaz continued: "My family live in a relatively small town, so my
grandfather was buried very quickly.
"Those
who die go directly to the burials and only a few family members can
attend."
Dr
Diaz said she knows people who are so concerned "they are leaving the
country to be with their families in Italy", despite the foreign office
warning against all travel to the country.
She
added: "In Italy they are battling to save everyone, even though not
everyone can be saved. There is a very large elderly population there and I
want to remind people this virus has hit Italy in the north, which is very
wealthy and well equipped with healthcare, so we need to look here at the
situation and not take any chances."
.
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