Daughter’s plea to public to take virus seriously

A WOMAN who lost both her parents to Covid-19 in the space of nine days has pleaded with the public to take the virus seriously.

Susan and John Docherty, inset, who were married for 44 years and had five children, were “super cautious” but still contracted coronavirus, said Katie Tong, as she urged people to help protect one another from the disease.

Mrs Docherty, 62, and her husband John, a 65-year-old retired taxi driver, from Shrewsbury in Shropshire, died after being taken to separate hospitals in November last year.

Now their daughter, 32-yearold Mrs Tong, who is also from Shrewsbury, has spoken of the “devastating” loss in hopes people will stick to the measures put in place to protect people from the deadly virus.

She said: “They both had underlying health issues, but they both had a good quality of life.

“My mum suffered badly from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and my dad had asthma. “They were both super cautious and followed all the measures to keep them safe. I genuinely thought they had a common cold.”

Mrs Tong was allowed into hospital to be with her mother during the last hours of her life.

But as she grieved and tried to organise her mother’s funeral, she was told the news about her father.

Mrs Tong said: “We were able see him via video call before he passed. Please take this seriously. I’ve lost my mum and dad, but this could happen to anyone. Please be extra careful – it can strike at any time and turn your life upside down.”