Identical twin sisters, Emma and Katy Davis, aged 37 have died within three days of each other after both tested positive for coronavirus.
The duo were both nurses who had the same underlying health conditions.
Children’s nurse Katy Davis, passed away at Southampton General Hospital on Tuesday while her identical twin, Emma, a former surgery nurse, died early on Friday.
Their sister Zoe Davis told the BBC: “They always said they had come into the world together and would go out together as well. There are no words to describe how special they were.
“All they ever wanted to do was to help other people. Ever since they were young…they’d pretend they were doctors and nurses caring for their dolls.
“They gave their everything to all the patients they looked after. They were exceptional. It doesn’t feel like any of this is real.”
A spokesman for University Hospital Southampton (UHS) said that Katy had worked as risk and patient safety lead in child health but had been ill for a period prior to her admittance to hospital when she tested positive for coronavirus.
The spokesman said: “She had the same underlying health condition as Katy and had been unwell prior to her admission when she tested positive for Covid-19.
“She sadly also passed away last night and it goes without saying just how devastating and tragic this is for the family and all who knew them. Emma has been described as an excellent nurse who was calm and cheerful and a good leader.
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“She was well liked by all and was a valuable member of the team during her time with us. We are supporting Katy and Emma’s family as much as we can through this difficult and distressing period.”
Paula Head, chief executive of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Katy has been described by her colleagues… as a nurse people would aspire to be like and that nursing was more than just a job to her.
“On behalf of everyone here… including our patients and the communities we serve, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to her family.”