A shop worker has died after contracting coronavirus – and her heartbroken family warned it proved the virus can reach anywhere.
Mother-of-three Undeg Lewis, 59, died in hospital after falling ill at home in the Carmarthenshire village of Efailwen.
Her son Rhodri said: “Going back a few weeks ago we thought this virus would never reach here in Carmarthenshire and especially here in Efailwen.
“But a few weeks later it’s here, and it’s taken mam, so please stay home.”
Mrs Lewis died at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen after falling ill with a cough and breathing difficulties. Rhodri said it was “difficult” that they could not be with her at the end.
Undeg worked in a shop and was clerk of the community council and rarely travelled far from the country village.
Rhodri said his mother developed a cough which led to her feeling “drained” and having breathing difficulties last week.
“Dad took her to the doctors and she was then taken in an ambulance to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen,” he said.
“In a space of 36 hours she was taken from us. If you have a family member in hospital you want to be there with them until the last minute. But unfortunately, due to the lockdown, we couldn’t be there for her.
“But the most difficult thing is that our sister Nia, who lives in the Bangor area, cannot be home with us because it was confirmed mam had the virus so we need to self-isolate for 14 days.
“The government has made it very clear – if you stay home, you’ll save lives.”
Husband Tudur Lewis said: “For all you married couples out there, the ones with partners and who have parents and children, tell them this very minute how much you love them – it could be your last chance.
“Please follow the government’s advice. Stay home to protect yourself and everybody else. Our lives depend on it.”
