VIRUS DEATH
Coronavirus – Wife’s agony as her ‘soul mate’ husband, 59, becomes youngest UK victim as death toll hits 35
THE widow of the youngest person killed by coronavirus in the UK so far yesterday told of her heartbreak — saying: “I’ve lost my soul mate.”
Retired detective constable Nick Matthews is feared to have caught the bug after flying to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands last month to celebrate his 59th birthday.
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Nick, who had underlying health issues, fell ill soon after he and wife Mary returned and died early on Saturday.
The dad of two is understood to be the first person under 60 to be killed by the virus in Britain.
The UK death toll rose by 14 to 35 as infections went up to 1,391, an increase of 251.
Mum-of-two Mary told of Nick’s death in a poignant Facebook post.
She said: “Today at 3am I lost my life partner and soul mate but, most of all, my best friend.
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“Charlotte, Ben and I are beyond proud to have had such a big character in our lives.
“I know some of you would like to visit but please for you and your family’s safety, stay away until we get the all clear.”
Mary and her children Charlotte and Ben are being forced to grieve in self-isolation as they wait on coronavirus test results.
Speaking to , Mary, from Nailsea, North Somerset, added: "It is a time when you want a hug but can’t have one."
YOUNGEST VICTIM
The family pinned a note to their front door in Nailsea, Somerset, asking callers not to knock.
Nick left Avon and Somerset police ten years ago following a heart attack. He was well known locally because of his charity work.
His death shocked friends, who said he had led an active life since recovering from the heart scare.
Mary, 55, urged anyone who has come into contact with her or Nick in the last fortnight to self-isolate — and seek advice.
She said Nick tested positive for Covid-19 but until a post mortem had been carried out it could not be said with 100 per cent certainty that the virus was responsible.
The news comes as:
- The UK death toll has risen from 21 to 35 overnight and there are now 1,391 COVID-19 cases
- Health Secretary Matt Hancock said elderly people would be told to stay inside for up to four months in the coming weeks
- Spain and Italy are on a 15-day lockdown with flights cancelled and tourists told to 'stay indoors'
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked Rolls Royce and JCB to build thousands of ventilators
- The Queen has quit Buckingham Palace because of virus fears and has been whisked off to Windsor castle
- Families will be told to self-isolate together if just ONE shows symptoms
Mary added: “I don't want to panic people but I do want people to take extra precautions.
“He was disabled, he couldn’t work. But at no point did I realise how serious it was even when we all had to gown up in the hospital. I just thought it was over-caution.
“As far as we were concerned we hadn’t been in contact with anyone with coronavirus and no one in this area had it.”
A friend said: “Nick loved his holidays. The trip to Fuerteventura was to celebrate his birthday.
“On the day that they arrived, he told how a sand storm had left everything covered in red dust.
“He had to be careful because of his previous health problems and he complained that the dust wasn’t doing his breathing any good — he called it a proper lung-clogger.
“But Nick wouldn’t let that get in the way of a good time. He’d just crack on and enjoy himself.”
DIED AFTER SPAIN TRIP
Other friends paid tribute to Nick, who had played for and managed Nailsea United football club. Andy Tish said: “Difficult to know what to say at a time like this. Nick was a true legend.”
Nick had been taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary by ambulance after suffering breathing difficulties. Doctors diagnosed pneumonia and he was admitted to the intensive care unit after showing additional coronavirus symptoms.
Another coronavirus victim died in hospital after being found collapsed at his home.
Darrell Blakeley, 88, is believed to have spent time with people who had recently returned from a ski trip in Italy before falling ill.
He was rushed to North Manchester General Hospital on March 3 after being found unconscious at his home in Middleton, Greater Manchester.
Mr Blakeley initially tested negative for the virus and staff found he was suffering from sepsis.
But he tested positive for COVID-19 a few days later as his condition deteriorated.
MOST READ IN NEWS
British publisher Kimberley Finlayson, 52, was killed by the virus earlier this month in Bali, where she was holidaying.
The mum of four had a history of lung disease and diabetes.
Deaths in Britain from corona-virus so far have been among patients aged between 59 and 94, all with underlying health issues.
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