A moving and powerful video was posted by the grieving son of a man who died after contracting coronavirus.
Stuart Ivany paid the tearful tribute to his 79-year-old dad Doug after his death on Thursday evening at Whiston Hospital, where he was taken by ambulance the previous Friday after struggling to breathe.
In the video, which was posted on social media and has since been shared thousands of times, Stuart also makes an impassioned plea for people to "stay home and stay safe."
In the tribute, 40-year-old Stuart, who lives in Ainsdale, said: "This is real - it's not a cold, not the flu.
"This is the most horrific, horrific up and down disease that can really torture you.
"I'm never going to see (my dad) again, have a pint with him, shake his hand, or watch the game with him."
Urging people to stay at home, Stuart adds: "If my dad's loss can be someone else's gain, please do it."
Stuart's partner Carolyn Smith said Doug was a popular and well-known figure in the area of Garswood, near St Helens, where the family hail from.
He was the dad of two sons, Stuart and Paul, and also had seven grandchildren.
She said: "He was fit and well and was very active, going for walks and still doing his gardening.
"He was a proper old school gent and a well-loved figure in the community,
"He'd had a previous pneumonia 18 months ago but he'd recovered from that.
"The message Stuart has put out is painful but has really hit home with a lot of people."
