UK’s youngest coronavirus victim, 13, died just a week after first symptoms as family tells of ‘healthy’ boy’s decline

BRITAIN'S youngest coronavirus victim, 13, suffered an agonising decline just one week after first developing symptoms, his family revealed today.

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab died in King's College Hospital in London on Monday after testing positive for the deadly disease.

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Tragically, his mum and six siblings were not able to be by his side in his final moments because of the contagiousness of the killer virus.

A spokesperson told The Sun Online today how the "very healthy" teenager had first fallen ill on March 23 with

Three days later, Ismail's condition worsened and he was rushed to hospital where medics put him on a ventilator.

The spokesperson added: "On Friday he tested positive for Covid-19 and was put into an induced coma.

"He died on Monday 30 March at 3am from a cardiac arrest."

Well-wishers have now donated more than £50,000 to Ismail's heartbroken family on a page set up to help pay for his funeral costs.

A statement on behalf of the family, from Brixton, South West London, has been posted today on the fundraising page thanking Brits for their contribution.

They said: "The family is overwhelmed and grateful to all the donors and prayers, may Allah bless you and reward you all."

It is the second tragedy to hit the family after Ismail's dad recently lost his fight against cancer.

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Family friend Mark Stephenson, director at the Madinah College in Brixton, said the youngster had no underlying health conditions.

Speaking today on Good Morning Britain, he said: "One of the saddest things in this whole situation is that he died alone.

"When someone has this infection, they're in isolation so how difficult it is for a mum to not be with her son at this time when he's sick.

"Usually a mother will be at his bedside, staying overnight in the hospital."

He has posted about the teenager's death on GoFundMe yesterday on behalf of the family.

Mr Stephenson said: "Ismail started showing symptoms and had difficulties breathing and was admitted to Kings College Hospital.

"He was put on a ventilator and then put into an induced coma but sadly died yesterday morning. To our knowledge he had no underlying health conditions. We are beyond devastated."

The hospital confirmed a 13-year-old boy had died after testing positive for the bug and said the death will be referred to the coroner.

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

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The latest figures from the Department of Health reveal 381 people have died in 24 hours after a rise of 180 deaths in the same time period yesterday.

In England, the NHS confirmed the death rate had also more than doubled from 159 on Monday to 367  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.

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