'It's not just a number - it's one of our relatives' - Grandmother who learned of brother's covid death after waking from coma speaks out as deaths reach 100,000
and live on Freeview channel 276
Marion Jolliff, 63, from Pennywell, became the first person in Sunderland to be diagnosed with Covid-19 after she was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital in March 2020.
The great-grandmother was in a coma for more than a fortnight and spent weeks in hospital undergoing intensive treatment.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSadly it was only after she came home that Marion learned her brother, Joe Jenkins, 65, of the Ford Estate, had died on April 1, 2020 following his own battle with Covid-19.
The Government confirmed on Tuesday, January 26 that the national Coronavirus death toll has reached the grim milestone of 100,000.
Now, as Marion continues to come to terms with her brother’s death, she has urged people to follow the rules.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“It’s not just a number – it's one of our relatives and we are grieving for them,” she said.
"People keep saying all these numbers, but those numbers are also somebody’s mam, dad, grandma, brother, sister, child. It’s not just a number.”
Marion, who is still suffering from long Covid, with symptoms of fatigue and breathlessness, continued: “A lot of people are not taking it seriously enough.
"I just wish they would listen to the rules.”
“I think the Government should have done more,” she said.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“They should have put the lockdown in sooner and they should have stopped commercial flights coming in.
"I think they need to bring curfews. They are going to have to do something.”
Marion’s brother, Joe, developed a cough while he was in Spain celebrating his 40th wedding anniversary with wife, Eva.
On returning home, the dad-of-seven was rushed to Sunderland Royal Hospital on Saturday, March 28, where he tested positive for coronavirus.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdJoe, who had 16 grandchildren, was well-known in Sunderland through his work delivering medication for Rowlands Pharmacy.
Paying tribute to her brother, Marion said he always made people laugh.
Marion said: “You were never miserable when you were with Joe. He would always make you laugh as he was just a joker.
"Everybody loved him – he was such a character.”