A devastated family are mourning the deaths of two brothers who contracted Covid-19 - and a third sibling is lucky to have survived the killer bug.
Olume Ivowi, 46, who had a three-year-old daughter, died in hospital on Good Friday - just nine days before brother Isi, 38.
As the brothers were close, their family say, it is possible they caught coronavirus from each other.
Their distraught older sister called on the public to stick to social distancing rules to prevent the disease claiming more lives.
Isi, who had Down's syndrome, lived in supported accommodation in Milton Keynes, while Olume lived in Luton.
Older brother Osi Ivowi, who also lives in Milton Keynes, recovered from the infection but is devastated by the deaths of Isi and Olume.
Their older sister Ida Ivowi, who now lives in New York, said: “We are a very close family and as you can imagine this has hit us all incredibly hard but we are determined to celebrate the lives of our brothers and focus on moving forward together as a family.
“It was my birthday this week and we all met up online to remember our lost ones and support Olume's widow but we also think it’s important to celebrate life in the now.
"What has happened to us, demonstrates how fragile life is and how we have to remember to appreciate each other and find the joy every day because we never know what is around the corner."
Two GoFundMe pages have been set up to support Olume's widow Juanetta and young daughter Mireille, and to pay for their joint funeral.
Ida said: "The family would like to urge the public to adhere to all government guidelines to stay home and stay safe to avoid further spread of this virus and would also like to thank all the medical personnel in the front lines for their dedication, especially the doctors and nurses at Milton Keynes General."
Family friend, Ayo Ilawole. who has known the family since infancy and who set up one of the GoFundMe appeals said: "I am so saddened by what Covid-19 has done to this family.
"They don’t deserve this. They are such a good family. Very close, loving and humble.”
On the other GoFundMe page, close friend Othuke Ononeme said: "Olume was much loved by so many, with his unique personal touch of bringing people together, ALWAYS remembering and supporting his loved ones during their special milestones.
"We all have amazing memories of Olume and he will always be in our hearts.”
