Coronavirus: Family's warning to those 'not taking virus seriously' as mother of twins dies
Caroline Saunby leaves behind her six-year-old twin boys and husband Victor, who are now self-isolating.
Friday 3 April 2020 11:03, UK
A 48-year-old mother of twins with no apparent underlying health conditions has died after contracting coronavirus, her family says.
Caroline Saunby, from New Marske on Teesside, passed away on 29 March, four days after showing symptoms.
She was treated by paramedics and emergency air ambulance doctors but they were unable to save her.
Mrs Saunby leaves behind two six-year-old twin boys and husband Victor, who are now isolating at home and waiting to see if they have the virus.
It is not clear whether she was tested, but her family said she had contracted the virus.
The family are unable to have a proper funeral due to social distancing measures.
"No other family should have to go through what we're going though," her twin sister, Sarah Jarvis, wrote in a Facebook post.
"Every part of our family in lockdown and can't console her boys or our parents or each other."
Ms Jarvis issued a warning to those "not taking [the virus] seriously enough".
"Our lives have been ripped apart forever by this horrendous virus," she said.
"She was 48 fit and healthy with no existing conditions and taken from us in 4 days."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on , , ,
Paying tribute to her twin sister, Ms Jarvis added: "No one else in the world will ever understand the bond that Caroline and I shared from in the womb until the very last moment.
"Nothing I can write will even get close to doing her justice."
Other family members said they were "heartbroken" and described Mrs Saunby as "the most gorgeous, funny, caring and giving soul".
Her brother, Rob Huckins, said he had lost his "soul sister".
"She leaves behind a husband and 2 little boys and a big family with a huge hole in it," he wrote in a Facebook post.
A has been set up by Mrs Saunby's neighbours to support her family and has already raised over £20,000.
A post on the page said the family is "going through hell".
"They are the most selfless amazing family I have ever know (sic)," it said.
"The next 3 months + are going to be tough enough for anyone but for this family its (sic) a lifetime."
The number of people in the UK who have died after contracting coronavirus has reached more than 2,000.
Most of those who have died have been over the age of 70, but the victims included a 13-year-old boy, as well as a 19-year-old who had no underlying health conditions.