Heartbroken dad of teen coronavirus victim, 19, pays tribute to his ‘little angel’

A HEARTBROKEN dad has paid tribute to his "very healthy" 19-year-old son after he died from coronavirus at a London hospital.

Luca Di Nicola, originally from Italy but living in North London, is said to have had no underlying health conditions.

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The teenager had visited his GP with coronavirus symptoms last week but was reportedly given paracetamol and told he had "nothing to worry about".

But his condition worsened and he was rushed to North Middlesex Hospital after his lips "turned purple" and he collapsed.

The teen passed away the next day on March 24.

His dad Mirko Di Nicolahas told newspaper he has since received a letter from North Middlesex Hospital confirming his son had tested positive for the killer virus.

It comes as the UK coronavirus death rate doubled today as 381 people died in 24 hours.

Paying tribute to the chef, who worked in mum Clarissa's Italian restaurant, Mirko said: "Luca has been tested positive for coronavirus.

"Rest in piece my little angel, keep on flying. You are in our souls."

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Luca's brother, Davide di Nicola, added on Instagram: "We both grew and matured and you, surely more mature than me, had the courage and the desire to bring new goals.

"Cooking, your greatest passion would have taken you far.

"This Carnival photo represents one of the few hangovers taken together, I drank a little to tell the truth but I had a lot of fun staring at you and holding you.

"I would have liked to spend so many other days and evenings with you and I swear that I will take you with me every day, on every occasion, every time I take the field.

"I will try to express some of your wishes and fulfil part of your dreams, it will be like doing it together also because you are here with me and you will always be. I send you a hug up there, to that starred restaurant.

"I love you my brother!".

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust confirmed today a 19-year-old man had died after testing positive for the disease following his death.

The trust also reported a death on March 24 - the same day Luca died - in NHS England figures.

'NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT'

A spokesperson said: “Very sadly, we can confirm a 19-year-old man died soon after arriving at A&E. He tested positive for COVID-19 after his death.

“Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patients’ families and loved ones at this difficult time."

NHS England said a 19-year-old with no underlying health conditions was among the 381 deaths across Britain announced today.

The NHS has not released any further information on the 19-year-old announced in the new statistics, but it is thought to be Luca.

Luca's aunt revealed last week that he had been visited by the doctor after his fever and cough worsened on March 23.

Giada, from Abruzzo, Italy, said: "The doctor visited him at home and told him that he was young, strong and that he didn't have to worry about that bad flu."

But he died hours after collapsing at home while complaining of chest pains.

His devastated mum and her partner Vincenzo are now self-isolating after displaying the same symptoms.

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It comes after NHS England confirmed the daily death rate in the country had also more than doubled from 159 yesterday to 367 today in the biggest 24-hour leap so far.

The latest victims were aged between 19 and 98 - with 28 having no previous medical conditions - bringing the total death toll in the country to 1,651.

In Scotland today, 13 more people have died - taking the death toll to 60.

Public Health Wales confirmed there have been seven further deaths - bringing their total to 69.

While in Northern Ireland, six more people have died, with their total deaths now at 28.

Today's figures only include those who have died in hospital after testing positive for the disease, so the true death toll is actually higher.

From the start of the crisis until March 20, at least 40 more people died from coronavirus in England and Wales than previously thought after hidden deaths at home were revealed for the first time.

New figures revealed 210 people died in England and Wales from the killer bug during that time period - 23 per cent more than official NHS numbers have shown.

NHS England and Public Health Wales had recorded 170 people died in hospital up to that date.

Once the Office of National Statistics work out the numbers since March 20, the most recent numbers will raise again.

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