Coronavirus: Boy, 13, ‘dies alone’ in UK hospital after testing positive

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab had no known underlying health problems, say his family

A 13-year-old boy who died alone in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus is believed to be the UK’s youngest victim of the pandemic.

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, who had no known underlying health problems, was admitted to King’s College Hospital in London and put on a ventilator after having difficulties breathing.

He died in the early hours of Monday without any family members present because of the risk of infection, according to a statement from the college where his sister works.

“It is with great sadness to announce that the younger brother of one of our teachers has sadly passed away this morning due to being infected with Covid-19,” said Madinah College London.

“Ismail was only 13 years old without any pre-existing health conditions and sadly he died without any family members close by due to the highly infectious nature of Covid-19.”

The college has set up a crowdfunding page to raise £4,000 for funeral costs. It had received more than £21,000 in donations by 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Ismail’s family, from Brixton, south London, said in a statement released through a friend that they were “beyond devastated”, adding: “To our knowledge he had no underlying health conditions.”

The statement continued: “Ismail started showing symptoms and had difficulties breathing and was admitted to King’s College Hospital.

“He was put on a ventilator and then put into an induced coma but sadly died yesterday morning.”

A spokesman for King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “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.”

It came after the Department of Health and Social Care announced the latest figures showed nearly 400 patients had died in a 24-hour period. They included a 19-year-old man with no underlying health issues.

The UK death toll stands at 1,808, with a total of 22,141 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Additional reporting by agencies