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A couple who were married for more than 45 years died with only 12 hours difference between Covid-19.
Wen and Bredge Ward, both 69, were diagnosed with coronavirus in early October.
Four weeks ago, when their conditions deteriorated, the couple, who lived in Strabane, Co Tyrone, were transferred to the Covid ward at Altnagelvin Hospital.
Sadly, despite the valiant efforts of the Altnagelvin Intensive Care Unit medical team, Ms. Ward passed away at 6.30 am on Monday, exactly 12 hours before Mr. Ward also lost his fight against coronavirus.
The couple’s son, Martin Ward, who works as a nurse anesthetist, said people must rigidly adhere to coronavirus restrictions if they want to avoid the devastating pain he and his siblings are going through.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Ward said: “My dad was slowly getting better, but when my mom passed away he slowly declined and within hours she passed away as well.
“They weren’t alone and the intensive care staff was brilliant, they did everything they could for mom and dad, but they weren’t.
“The two were side by side in intensive care even though they were heavily sedated.
“They were married for over 45 years and were very dedicated to each other. I think when Mom passed away, Dad realized that somehow she was gone and he didn’t want to be without her.
“I knew that Mom was not going to survive because she had been through breast cancer and chemotherapy, so I knew that Covid was going to be tough on her and that she probably wouldn’t come out of it.
“That didn’t make it easier to get the phone call from Altnagelvin hospital to say that he had died.
“We had some hope for Dad because his health was not so bad and although there were times when he was very bad, he seemed to recover and even showed some improvement, but that shows you again how dangerous this virus can be.
“In fact, I was able to be with Dad in his last moments due to my work and my experience in Intensive Care Units and PPE, so I was there and I was able to hold his hand.
“That has been a consolation because I know that most families do not understand that and the only reason I was allowed to enter the neighborhood was because of my training.
“Even so, this has been incredibly hard on our entire family, it’s like being stabbed in the heart with a knife.
“I would not want any other family to have to go through this.”
Mr. and Mrs. Ward were a well-known couple in Strabane and the news of their death has been received with great sadness not only in the city but throughout the county.
The couple’s son said that people everywhere should do everything possible to avoid the pain and sadness that is happening.
He continued: “People don’t realize that when the economy reopens and as we get closer to Christmas and people unite, the virus will progress and vulnerable people will die.
“My fear is that after Christmas other families will pay the price to reunite. I know how difficult it is and how many people will want to be together and not be isolated.
“It is not easy to be separated from friends and family, especially at Christmas, but having to put your parents to rest on the same day is not easy either.
“These last two weeks, when Mom and Dad have been seriously ill in intensive care, they have hurt us a lot as a family and we have to get used to now that their presence is not at home.
“The Royal College of Nursing and others have said that the only way to cause less suffering is to take an Ireland-wide approach to fighting this virus and there is a problem with people crossing borders. I think there must be a collaborative approach to opening up the economy so that everyone is protected from the virus.
“The coronavirus is like nothing else we’ve had to face and people need to take it seriously.
“I know there are people who don’t believe this is real, but as far as I can see, that means it’s not real to them, but it’s real and no one would want anyone in their family to suffer along the way. my parents suffered.
“They also wouldn’t want their own family to go through the roller coaster of emotions our family has been through since they took Mom and Dad to the hospital.
“People must take all precautions, they must wash their hands, wear masks and maintain social distance. It’s the only way we’re going to get through this “
Requiem Mass for Mr. and Mrs. Ward will be held at St Mary’s Melmount Church, Strabane at 1pm on Wednesday with burial immediately thereafter in the adjoining cemetery.
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