A family have spoken of their heartbreak at not being able to be at their dad's side whilst he lies in hospital alone because of coronavirus
Brian Harvey, 69, has been in hospital since March 28 after he started to develop a high tempeature.
The grandfather-of-six has a health condition which weakens his immune system, and has just awoken from weeks in an induced coma.
But he spent those weeks at the Bristol Royal Infirmary hospital alone due to visiting restrictions due to coronavirus.
It means the only communication Brian can have with his wife and three children is via video calls, with hospital staff holding up his camera phone to allow them to see him.
The last time his daughter Faye Stapleton saw him in person was when he was being placed into an ambulance.
She told Bristol Live : "Because of the coronavirus, we can't be there to support him or to hold his hand or give him familiar voices.
"It's been the hardest thing ever. We sit and wait for the doctors to call - we are just riding a roller coaster."
Doctors initially thought the 69-year-old had pneumonia, but he was diagnosed with Covid-19 the day after his hospital admission.
Brian lives in Headley Park with his wife of 50 years, Mary, and used to run a building company before retiring.
They had never spent more than four nights away from each other, until coronavirus tore them apart.
Their daughter Mrs Stapleton, who lives next to her parents, said: "For mum not to see him has been absolutely heart-wrenching.
"She has been begging, asking doctors and nurses if she can go in. It breaks her heart.
"We are such a close family and none of us can be together. We would be sat at his bedside morning and night."
She said it was a "breakthrough" moment when nurses suggested they FaceTimed Mr Harvey in hospital.
It has allowed her and brothers Daniel and Jason to talk to him and see his progress, even if he is not able to verbally respond yet.
The family has now set up a JustGiving page to rasie funds for iPads for the hospital that would allow other patients to see their loved ones while they are in hospital.
Mum-of-two Mrs Stapleton, 32, said: "We are thankful my dad has his phone on him but some other families can't see their loved ones or communicate with them, because they haven't got the technology.
"The fundraising has given us something to focus on. We want to help other people in this horrific time."
The JustGiving page adds: "We are in absolute devastation. Dad is one of Covid-19's victims but he is still fighting strong.
"We miss him so much, and we feel helpless as we can't help him fight this battle."
At one point, doctors called with the news that Mr Harvey might not pull through.
Thankfully his condition has improved and has been able to open his eyes and squeeze his fingers together.
Mrs Stapleton's daughter celebrated her ninth birthday this week, and told her that she had wished for her granddad to get better when she blew out the candles on her cake.
The next day, a doctor informed the family that Mr Harvey's condition seemed better.
She added: "He's improving and showing signs of reacting.
"We are just praying."
The fundraising page was set up on April 14, and has already raised £1,500 of the £3,000 target.
