A son has pleaded for people to listen to the Government and stay home after his 72-year-old mum - who tested positive for coronavirus - died on Mother’s Day.
Stephen Hunt, from Kings Langley, arrived at Luton and Dunstable Hospital on Sunday with just two minutes to spare to say goodbye to his mother Doreen before she passed away.
Mrs Hunt, 72, had been self-isolating before she began to show symptoms of Covid-19 last Tuesday.
Within 24 hours she was placed in intensive care but she later died.
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Her son Stephen, 51, says he and his family have been left "crushed" by his mother’s death.
She leaves behind her husband John, her three children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Stephen said: "She (Doreen) was born into extreme poverty and had a tough upbringing.
"But she became a successful businesswoman and was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
"I would describe her as a contrary angel - we rarely agreed on anything but she gave me contrariness and showed me how to be independent of mind.
Doreen Hunt was successful in the construction business (photo Stephen Hunt)
"She travelled the world and enjoyed a rich and varied life.
"After her passing my Dad is struggling and I am feeling up and down. We all miss her."
Mr Hunt said his mother had a number of heath conditions.
Now, he has urged people to follow the Government's advice to stay at home and urged people to take the virus "seriously".
He said: "We are saying to people to stop thinking that you are cleverer than the Government, and to follow their guidance - it is not a risk worth taking to ignore it.
"Everyone should follow the Government's advice as much as they can.
"Don't look for exceptions and be responsible."
After posting about his mother's passing online, Mr Hunt said it has been seen by over 350,000 people and shared around the world.
He said: "I wrote it to shock people into taking it (coronavirus) seriously and it has certainly worked.
"My Dad has taken a great deal of comfort from those messages that news of her death may have shocked people into finally realising how serious it is."
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