On 4th January, a daughter who watched her mother die from coronavirus next to her in hospital pleaded with people to follow lockdown rules and observe due precautions.
Anabel Sharma described the death of her 76-year-old mother Maria Rico, as "heartbreaking" while releasing their final photograph in their bid to raise awareness around the gravity of coronavirus. Mrs Sharma, from Whitwick, said her mother had died about half-an-hour after her mask was taken off. Mrs Sharma and her mother were admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary on the same day in October.
The 49-year-old daughter who is herself battling from the infection spoke to the BBC, and said, "My mum asked them to take her mask off and they said, 'Once we take this off, that will be it. You won't have very long'. She said, 'Yes, I know that but I've had enough.’ We had about five minutes with her when she was able to speak, then she lost consciousness. She told us she wasn't afraid to die, that she was ready. She told me I had to fight hard because I had the children at home. We held her hand until her very last breath. It brings me comfort to know that we were able to be with her and I know it brought my mum comfort as well."
Mrs Sharma said she believed one of her sons caught coronavirus at school and it then "ravaged through" the family at a "frightening" speed. I would ask people to follow all the precautions and think of others," she said.
Her funeral was live-streamed to Mrs Sharma, who was still in hospital.
