The two victims of the virus, Pat and Ron Wood, had moved their hospital beds next to each other so that they could hold hands.
A very sad story. Married for more than seven decades, Pat (91) and Ron Wood (94) died within days of contracting Covid-19. The husband was the first to be transported to Worthing Hospital, followed by his wife soon after, according to The Independent.
Their only daughter, Nikki Evans, told British media that the hospital "brilliantly" took care of her parents.
"They put mom and dad together, just the two of them, so that they could hold hands for the last few days, before mom died in his sleep. After his death on May 18, they took care of dad with compassion during his last days until his death on May 23, "said Nikki Evans.
"They left together in a short time after being married for 71 years. They would not have wanted to be alone," she added.
Worthing hospital nurse Maria Reina said it was "very special" to see him and his wife holding hands in the hospital. She also said: "I am very proud to do my job".
Nikki Evans expressed gratitude to the hospital staff, saying: "In these difficult times, where visits are kept to a minimum, I have been able to speak to them on the iPad."
At first, the two patients were placed in separate Covid rooms for men and women. However, hospital staff have allowed their beds to be moved next to each other in the past few days.
A thunderbolt
The couple first met at a post office, according to The Independent. The 22-year-old had just graduated from the Royal Navy, while his future wife had just turned 19 at the time. They quickly celebrated their union at the Broadwater Parish Church on April 23, 1949.
Mr. and Mrs. Wood ran a store, called Ron Wood Stores, for five years before welcoming their daughter in 1959.
Pat Wood worked at Marks & Spencer in downtown Worthing for 28 years, then at Goring Hall Hospital for 11 years, where she met Princess Margaret in 1994.
The two sleeping lovers leave two granddaughters and four great grandchildren.