‘Impossible’ to determine source

The East Kent Hospitals Trust says it is “impossible” to determine where Dick Lukehurst contracted Covid-19 - a statement branded “complete rubbish” by his widow.

Hospital bosses say despite the great-grandad testing negative on his admission, and positive four days later, there is no evidence to show where he caught the virus.

They point to the incubation period of Covid-19 - the length of time before symptoms typically emerge - being up to 14 days, although the median is five days. But if Mr Lukehurst did catch the virus before his admission, his first test result would have had to have been a false negative.

Research shows this is possible in some cases if a test is completed too early after exposure.

Mrs Lukehurst branded the suggestion her husband already had Covid-19 when he was admitted to hospital as “absurd”. “It’s absolute rubbish,” she said. “My husband and I could not have isolated ourselves more in lockdown. “We had no visitors whatsoever - not even family - and our front porch acted as an airlock in which our shopping was delivered and left.

“If he had it before he went into hospital, then why didn’t I get it because I was in close contact with him every day? “I think the whole suggestion is absurd and they are just trying to pass the buck and cover up.”

A spokesman for East Kent Hospitals said: “We would like to offer our condolences to Mrs Lukehurst on the death of her husband.

“The virus has an incubation period of up to 14 days and as Mr Lukehurst tested positive within four days of being admitted to hospital it is impossible to determine the source of his infection and there is no evidence that he contracted Covid in our hospital.

“Older, frail people are unfortunately particularly susceptible to Covid-19 and our staff worked hard to provide the best possible treatment to Mr Lukehurst throughout his time with us and we are very sad at his passing.”