An Irish mum, dad and son have all tragically died of COVID-19 within a fortnight.
Tributes have been paid to health worker Tony Doherty, who passed away with COVID-19 on Tuesday morning.
Mr Doherty was the third member of his family to die from the virus within the space of two weeks after his mother and father, Angela Doherty and Owen Doherty, passed away within three days of each other.
Mr Doherty was a porter at the Royal Victoria Hospital and the it has been reported that one of his three brothers is also critically ill in hospital after being diagnosed with coronavirus too, Belfast Live reports.
In a statement Belfast Trust said that the Patient and Client Support Services described Mr Doherty as "a larger than life figure with a heart of gold who made an instant and lasting impression on everyone he met".
"Tony was a valued member of our team, but more importantly, he was our friend. Tony was a larger than life figure with a heart of gold who made an instant and lasting impression on everyone he met.
"We all shared many laughs and good times with Tony and we hope these memories can provide some comfort to everyone in the days and weeks ahead," the statement reads.
Mr Doherty's colleagues expressed their condolences to his wife, son, friends and wider family.
On Wednesday, SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly also offered her condolences to the Doherty family.
"It is just unimaginable. I cannot begin to imagine how the surviving members of the family come to terms with it and I do hope and pray that they get the help and support that they need.
"I do plead with the parties who are sitting at the Executive that they take account of the families who are suffering and those working in hospitals who are trying their best to keep people safe and save their lives," said Kelly on BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.
