Twin sisters die within days of each other after contracting coronavirus

A man who lost his mother and aunty said the family feel like they are living in a "horror film", after they both contracted coronavirus and died within days of each other.

Stuart Andrews, from Abercynon, lost his mother Eleanor on 29th March after she fell ill at home while showing symptoms of coronavirus.

She was 66 years old.

Eleanor and Eileen lived together all their lives Credit: Stuart Andrews

Four days later, Eleanor's twin sister Eileen died after being treated in hospital for the same illness.

Stuart told ITV News Eleanor and Eileen lived together all their lives and did "everything together".

Stuart said his mother (left) and her twin sister did 'everything together' Credit: Stuart Andrews

"It doesn't feel as if it's real", his wife Janice said.

"We feel as if we're in a horror film or a nightmare and someone is going to wake us up."

"That's what it feels like and it is starting to take its toll on us. It's getting harder now everyday."

Following his mother's death, his aunty Eileen, who suffered with the lung condition COPD, was re-admitted to hospital after her symptoms worsened.

"We spoke to her on the telephone at about 8:15. She was on oxygen and we couldn't make much out. They rang us at 9:15 and said she was sat up asking for tea and jelly. Twenty five minutes later she had passed away", Janice said.

Stuart and his wife Janice speaking to ITV Wales

Stuart's uncle Phillip, who is 69, and also lived in the same house as the twins, is now also in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. He also has the lung condition COPD.

"They are trying to save Phillip's life now. It's terrible. He was still up and about, he was active and then to see him go like this, you'd think he was a totally different person."

Stuart said they face more difficult days ahead as they plan the funeral of his mother and aunty.

Eleanor and Eileen pictured as children Credit: Stuart Andrews

"It has to be a closed funeral and there is only six allowed with the vicar or reverend", Janice said.

"There will obviously no wake, no cars, that's all you can do."

Stuart urged people to listen to the government advice to stay indoors.

"[You think] 'it's not going to happen to me', because things like this don't happen to us but it does, it does happen.

"Just stay in, because this is the effect of people not staying in, and not listening to the government you know. We don't want to put people through what we are going through."

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know