‘She died alone’: Families separated from loved ones in coronavirus isolation

Over-70s could be asked to stay at home for up to four months

People are being prevented from saying goodbye to family members who have died amid the coronavirus outbreak, as they self-isolate to prevent the spread of the disease.

Caroline Hopton said her mother died alone in isolation after Covid-19 stopped her from “holding my dearest mum’s hand in her final moments last night”.

Ms Hopton described her ordeal on Twitter, writing: "She died alone in isolation after being admitted early Sat AM and was put in isolation ‘just in case’.

"It made losing her even more devastating. How many other families will go through same?"

The family of an 88-year-old man who died after testing positive for the virus asked for acts of kindness to be carried out in his memory.

A post on the Facebook page of St Michael’s Church in Middleton, Greater Manchester, called for a “wall of kindness” to be built in memory of Darrell Blackley, who died at North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH) on Friday.

The message, shared on behalf of the family, said: “We invite you to forget flowers and cards. Instead we would like you to give acts of kindness.

“Help someone who is lonely or struggling during this time, who needs shopping, childcare or a chat.

“Post tiny acts of kindness given and received and share. Build something beautiful in Darrell’s memory.”

The wife of a man thought to be the UK’s youngest coronavirus victim paid tribute to her “soulmate” as she was also diagnosed with the disease.

Nick Matthews, 59, from Nailsea, Somerset, a former police officer, died at Bristol Royal Infirmary in the early hours of Saturday.

His wife, Mary, wrote on Facebook: “Today at 3am I lost my life partner and soul mate but most of all my best friend.

“Charlotte, Ben and I are beyond proud to have had such a big character in our lives. As a family we are still currently in isolation until the coronavirus test results come back.”

She later said her own test results had come back positive, and urged those who had been in contact with the family to self-isolate and seek advice.

Some 35 people have died in the UK as of Sunday, and the government is due to consider new measures to prevent the spread of the virus at an emergency meeting of the Cobra committee later on Monday.

People over the age of 70 could be asked to stay home in the coming weeks for a period of up to four months in order to protect themselves from the virus.

The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said elderly people will be asked to self-isolate “as and when the moment is right” – but they would still be able to go outside and “walk the dog”.

“We will ask people to do that as and when the moment is right. Again, clearly in our action plan from the beginning of this crisis, but the fact that people know that this is in the action plan and is being talked about, in particular this weekend, I think is important,” Mr Shapps told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

He said it was “quite likely” elderly people would have to self-isolate for months, but added: “It is the case that people will be able to go out and walk the dog. It’s about being sensible but not mixing in crowds.”