Boy, 10, becomes one of UK’s youngest Covid victims

The parents of a ten-year-old boy, believed to be one of the youngest victims of Covid-19 in the UK, have spoken to Channel 4 News about their devastation.

Fehzan Jamil from Bradford was laid to rest yesterday after contracting the disease and dying in hospital. Fehzan had a number of underlying health issues.

In an interview to be broadcast tonight (Tuesday), his parents, Tayyaba and Mohammed, told Channel 4 News that Fehzan was a happy, cheerful boy who was always smiling, despite his health problems, “He was a really brave fighter, he was a soldier.”

His father Mohammed said “There were four of us, now there are only three.  The pain is indescribable.”

His mother Tayyaba said “I just can’t describe our loss. Everything feels empty now.”

The family had tried to shield Fehzan as best they could, knowing that his health issues made him vulnerable.

“We tried to keep Fehzan at home as much as possible. And nobody came into the house without a mask. We tried our best to keep him safe, but somehow Covid got to him.”

Fehzan had been treated for many years at Bradford Royal Infirmary and the family have nothing but praise for the care he received.

His mother told Channel 4 News: “All of the staff were very good to us. They have known Fehzan for many years now and have always looked after him. They let us be beside him when he died. It meant a lot.”

At first, when Fehzan went into hospital, the family weren’t too worried, because they were used to his hospital trips. “But this time turned out different, he never came home. Covid took him from us” Mohammed said.

Fehzan is believed to be one of the youngest victims of the pandemic. A 13-day-old baby died on June 18th and an 11-year-old boy died in April.

Watch the full interview on Channel 4 News at 7pm.