Heartbreak over 13-year-old's coronavirus death

A family friend of the 13-year-old Londoner with "no underlying health conditions" who died after contracting the coronavirus has spoken of the family's heartbreak.

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab is believed to be the youngest person in the UK to have died after falling ill with COVID-19.

Mohammed Motib told ITV News that the nature of the virus meant that no one was allowed to be at Ismail's side as he died.

"A young boy aged 13, without his mother, without any sibling (...) in (his) last moments (...) that's very hard to digest and really understand as to how lonely and how sad that moment must have been."

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab died early on Monday.

He had tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, a day after he was admitted to London's King's College Hospital with coronavirus-related symptoms, his family said.

The family released a statement through GoFundMe, saying Ismail was a "loving son, brother, nephew to our family and a friend to many people who knew him. His smile was heart-warming and he was always gentle and kind."

They also urged people to observe social distancing to "protect the NHS (National Health Service) and save lives", stressing that the virus was "attacking all members of our society, not just older people or those with pre-existing conditions."

A spokesman for King's College Hospital said: Sadly, a 13-year old boy who tested positive for COVID-19 has passed away, and our thoughts and condolences are with the family at this time.

Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, said it is the case very sadly that young people can still be affected from coronavirus.

The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.