Son's Covid-19 warning after dad dies and mum is seriously ill in Plymouth's Derriford hospital

A man whose father died from Covid-19 and whose mother is seriously ill in hospital says they lived a ‘quiet life’ – and he wants to warn the public that the virus can attack ‘literally anybody’.

Mick Boyles, aged 78, from Liskeard in Cornwall, died earlier this week after being admitted to Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital alongside his wife, 80-year-old Ruth.

Mick had an existing heart condition and diabetes, but Ruth is not believed to have any underlying conditions.

Their son, Simon Boyles, told ITV West Country his parents rarely went out but the virus caused a sudden deterioration in their health.

Read more: How the ban on visiting hospital patients is taking its toll on families

Mick and Ruth were long-time members of the Sterts theatre group and hundreds of messages have been left online from friends and well-wishers.

Simon says the family’s grief is heightened by the fact they are unable to visit their mother in hospital, and he says he has not yet spoken to her about his father’s death.