Five child coronavirus deaths proving COVID-19 is not just targeting the elderly

The coronavirus outbreak continues to devastate the world, having killed thousands in a matter of months - but it's not just the elderly and those with underlying health concerns who are at risk.

These tragic patients in their teens and early 20s from across Europe prove the killer virus can be just as fatal to the young and healthy.

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, 13

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab died at King's College Hospital without any family members close by. Photo: Shutterstock.

Schoolboy Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, 13, from Brixton, south London, sadly died without any family members close by due to the highly infectious nature of COVID-19. The teenager, who had no underlying health conditions, died at Kings College Hospital on Monday morning after being put into an induced coma.

The Mohamed family, who sadly also lost their father to cancer, said: "Ismail started showing symptoms and had difficulties breathing and was admitted to Kings College Hospital. He was put on a ventilator and then put into an induced coma but sadly died yesterday morning. To our knowledge, he had no underlying health conditions. We are beyond devastated."

A GoFundMe page was set up to help pay for the teenager's funeral costs and has already raised £28,000, despite a target of just £4,000.

Luca Di Nicolahas, 19

Luca had a cough and fever for a week before collapsing at his home. Photo:Facebook.

Nineteen-year-old Luca Di Nicola's dad Mirko Di Nicolahas said he was a "little angel" who would "keep on flying" after his death was confirmed by North Middlesex Hospital.

His brother Davide said he would "try to express some of your wishes and fulfil part of your dreams" and will "take you with me every day".

Mirko told La Repubblica newspaper he had been sent a letter from the hospital confirming Luca had contracted coronavirus. Italian Luca had been living in north London and working at mum Clarissa's Italian restaurant in Enfield. Luca was described as "very healthy"  by his family before he died after being told he had "nothing to worry about".

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However, Luca's condition worsened when he collapsed after complaining of chest pains. Family members called an ambulance, and paramedics managed to revive him, but his lungs collapsed.

Vitor Godinho, 14

Amateur futsal player Vitor suffered from psoriasis, a skin disorder that can affect the immune system. Photo: SOLARPIX.COM.

Amateur futsal player Vitor Godinho, 14, died in a hospital near Porto, Portugal, in the early hours of Sunday after falling ill with the virus. He is understood to have suffered from psoriasis, a skin disorder that can affect the immune system but had no major underlying health issues. Vitor, from Ovar - half an hour’s drive south of Porto - lost his fight for life after being rushed to Sao Sebastiao Hospital in nearby Santa Maria da Feira.

Medics are said to have decided against transferring him to a hospital with a paediatric A&E unit in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, because of the severity of his condition.

The Portuguese Football Federation paid tribute to the youngster on its website on Sunday.

He played futsal, which is similar to five-a-side football and is played on a hard court, for Maceda Cultural and Recreational Centre in his hometown area.

Julie Alliot, 16

Julie died after suffering breathing problems .

Sixteen-year-old French schoolgirl Julie Alliot, who has no underlying medical conditions, was described as "bright and much loved".

She succumbed to respiratory problems in a Paris hospital last Wednesday after first developing a "slight cough" a week ago. Her sister Manon said she had not suffered from any illnesses beforehand. Manon spoke out to warn people the virus can affect people of all ages and 'no one is invincible'.

"We must stop believing that his virus only affects the elderly," said her heartbroken sister, Manon.

Until Julie's death, many had thought that only the elderly are in danger of dying because of the virus.

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"[Her] lungs failed," Manon said. "The doctors did everything they could but it was impossible to wake her up."

Manon and her mother arrived at the hospital after Julie’s death.

"It was violent," she said. "We had time to see her, but we quickly had to think about the future."

Unnamed girl, aged 12

A medic treats patients at MontLegia CHC clinic in Liege, Belgium. Photo:Reuters.

A 12-year-old girl is believed to be the youngest person to die in Europe after contracting coronavirus. The girl, who died at a hospital in Belgium, is among the youngest victims in the world.

His voice trembling, distraught spokesman for Belgium's government Emmanuel Andre announced the girl's death, telling reporters "it is an emotionally difficult moment because it involves a child".

Mr Andre said medics were left deeply upset when the girl lost her fight for life on Monday.

He was visibly upset while delivering the devastating news and then left the press conference, leaving a colleague to continue, Belgian media reported. Mr Andre said: "It is obviously an emotionally difficult moment because it involves a child.

"It has also upset the medical and scientific communities. We are thinking of her family and friends. It is an event that is very rare, but one which upsets us greatly."

Virologist Steven van Gucht said the girl's condition deteriorated after three days of fever.

He said: "Yesterday, a 12-year-old girl passed away. She tested positive for the coronavirus. The child suddenly deteriorated after three days of fever."

It is very rare for a person so young to die, he said, adding: "It reminds us that people of all ages can develop complications.

"We don't know why in some cases it goes wrong. These situations must be studied on a case-by-case basis."

In Belgium, 93 per cent of those who have died were older than 65.