Sheffield grandfather becomes 4th person in Yorkshire to die after testing positive for Covid-19

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Tributes have been paid to a 78-year-old grandfather from Sheffield who has been confirmed as the fourth person in Yorkshire to die from coronavirus.

Leonard Gibson died yesterday at the Northern General Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19.

Leonard, who lived in sheltered accommodation in Oughtibridge, near Sheffield, had the lung disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and had finished a course of antibiotics after feeling unwell for a few days.

When his illness continued, he was admitted to the Northern General Hospital on Saturday where he was tested for COVID-19 and the result was positive. Despite staff doing all they could to care for Leonard, he passed away yesterday.

Lisa Broughton and Michelle Lenton, Leonard’s daughters, described their dad as "kind, loving, generous, crazy and fun loving - a jolly Irish man who made everyone smile".

They said: “We are very grateful to all the Northern General Hospital staff that helped our Dad during this difficult time, they dealt with us sensitively and efficiently and we felt constantly reassured by their kind words.

''We have nothing but praise for the NHS and our dad’s treatment, especially the kindness that everyone showed us.

''They really went the extra mile for dad and our family. For example when we could not be there in person, we rang lots of times to see how he was.

''Even though they were probably very busy, every member of staff took time to talk to us in detail but more importantly they made sure dad knew each time that we had phoned and that we had said we loved him. A small thing but so important to us at that time.”

Lisa and Michelle, also urged everyone to take the advice being given by Public Health England and the Government seriously and in particular to “take time to make sure those people who may be alone or more vulnerable are able to manage over the next few months.“

Lisa said: “At a time like this, community spirit, kindness and vigilance are more important than ever to make sure we get through this outbreak. Everyone should listen to the advice we are being given and take this seriously.”

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