A thirteen-year-old boy from Brixton died in isolation in King’s College Hospital on Monday morning, becoming the UK’s youngest Coronavirus victim.
The teenager, named as Ismail Mohammed Abdulwahab, is believed to have had no pre-existing health conditions. His family were unable to be by his side due to restrictions on hospital visits due to the risk of infection.
Ismail was described as “a bubble of life that you would meet and smile, falling in love immediately. His love was pure and everyone around him loved him.”
He was the younger brother of a teacher at Ferndale Road’s Madinah College, which teaches Arabic and Islamic studies. The family had already suffered the loss of their father, who passed away from cancer.
A fundraising appeal to cover the cost of his funeral, and support his family, aimed to raise £4,000 but has now had more than 3,000 people donate. By this morning (Wednesday, April 1) , the total stood at more than £55,000.
In a message to all those who donated, the family said they were “overwhelmed and grateful to all the donors and prayers.”
The News understands Ismail was on a ventilator but deteriorated and was put into an induced coma.
King’s College Hospital said in a statement: “Sadly, a 13-year-old boy who tested positive for COVID-19 has passed away, and our thoughts and condolences are with the family at this time.
“The death has been referred to the coroner and no further comment will be made.”
Vauxhall MP and Southwark and Lambeth assembly member, Florence Eshalomi, said in a statement today:“This is a heart-breaking case and my deepest thoughts are with Ismail’s family at this terrible time.
“I spoke to Ismail’s family this morning to offer my condolences, and I will be helping them with whatever support they need at this difficult time.
“The family have asked for privacy while they try and come to terms with Ismail’s death, and I very much hope their wish will be respected.
“Ismail was a bright and ambitious boy who had the whole of his future ahead of him. This disease does not discriminate. And this personal tragedy shows the very real and devastating impact this virus is having on our society.
“We must follow the advice to stay at home and save lives.
“I’d also like to thank to the NHS staff at Kings for the heroic work they are doing during this crisis.”
Yet we still want children to return to school next week?