A family was given just fifteen minutes to say goodbye before an 88-year-old grandfather died of coronavirus in hospital last night.
The man passed away at North Manchester General Hospital, his family has confirmed to Manchester Evening News.
The man was found collapsed at his home on March 3, and was later placed in isolation at the hospital when it came to light that he had been at a party with guests who had travelled to Italy for a ski trip.
It was initially believed that the 88-year-old was suffering from sepsis and tested negative for Covid-19.
But on March 10, after another swab, tests came back positive for coronavirus.
His family, who had to wear protective gear, gloves and mask to visit him, said they were given just 15 minutes to say goodbye to him before he as placed in isolation.
From then on, they were forced to use a dedicated phoneline to communicate with their relative.
The man's son, 54, said: "To say goodbye to him I had to wear professional protective equipment, two pairs of gloves, a face mask.
"After 15 minutes, I was struggling to breathe properly in it. Tears were streaming down my face.
"The hospital don't like anyone to stay longer than 15 minutes. It took longer to remove the equipment than being with my dad."
The family remarked on how seriously the hospital had taken the situation, but said they could not have been more helpful.
