Yahoo Finance Captain Sir Tom Moore tested negative for coronavirus after returning from Barbados, family says
Captain Sir Tom Moore tested negative for coronavirus after returning from his trip to Barbados, his family have said.
The Second World War veteran died on Tuesday after a short battle with COVID and pneumonia.
Captain Tom and his family flew to Barbados on December 11 shortly before his hometown of Bedford was placed in Tier 3 - a holiday which was criticised by some online commenters.
He remained in Barbados until January 6 when he flew back to the UK and his family revealed on Tuesday that he only tested positive for COVID two weeks after he returned from the Caribbean.
A statement released by his family revealed that he had been tested regularly for COVID-19 between December 9 and January 12 and each test returned negative.
“He was admitted to hospital on January 12,” the statement read, “Whilst in hospital he received a pneumonia diagnosis. In addition, as with other patients, he was tested regularly for COVID-19.
“On January 22, Tom was discharged from hospital back to the family home where he felt most comfortable. Unfortunately he was left still fighting pneumonia and tested positive for COVID-19 that day.
Read more: 'We will get through it in the end': Captain Sir Tom Moore in his own words
“He remained at home, cared for by family and medical professionals, until he needed additional help with his breathing. He was taken by ambulance to Bedford Hospital on Sunday January 31.
“Tom was able to have visitors to say goodbye to him at the end of his life. Yesterday evening his daughter Hannah and grandchildren Benjie and Georgia were able to be by his side and his daughter Lucy was able to speak to him on FaceTime.”
Watch: The Queen and other pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore
The 100-year-old, who raised almost £33m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden, was admitted to hospital in Bedford on Sunday.
The Queen led tributes to Capt Sir Tom, "recognising the inspiration he provided for the whole nation and others across the world".
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Capt Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year. Her thoughts, and those of the royal family, are with them, recognising the inspiration he provided for the whole nation and others across the world."
While prime minister Boris Johnson said: "Captain Sir Tom Moore was a hero in the truest sense of the word.
“In the dark days of the Second World War he fought for freedom and in the face of this country's deepest post-war crisis he united us all, he cheered us all up, and he embodied the triumph of the human spirit.
"He became not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world. Our thoughts are with his daughter Hannah and all his family."
The flag above 10 Downing Street has been flying at half-mast in tribute and Johnson has spoken to his family to offer his condolences.
Watch: What is long Covid?
