TESTING TIMES
Captain Sir Tom Moore tested negative for Covid after returning from Barbados holiday, family reveal
CAPTAIN Sir Tom Moore tested negative for coronavirus after returning from his holiday in Barbados, his family have revealed.
Vile trolls previously took to social media to slam the war veteran and his family for jetting off to the Caribbean Island in December.
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But their trip came before the UK government's strict rules on travel came into place.
And it has since been revealed that Sir Tom only tested positive for coronavirus on January 22 - more than two weeks after he returned to the UK.
The hero fundraiser tragically died with the bug in hospital aged 100, his family confirmed today.
He had been receiving treatment for prostate and skin cancer and with the help of his medical team, made the decision not to have invasive treatment.
After consulting with doctors, he and his family flew to Barbados on December 11.
This was before his hometown of Bedford was placed into Tier 3 on December 19 and later Tier 4 on December 20.
The nation's hero returned to the UK on January 6 and between December 9 and January 12, was tested regularly for Covid-19 - each test coming back negative.
His family told the media today: "Tom was admitted to hospital on January 12. 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.
"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."
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It comes after Piers Morgan savaged those who slammed Sir Tom on Twitter for his holiday.
The Good Morning Britain host raged live on TV: "If your first thought when you hear Sir Captain Tom Moore is fighting coronavirus in hospital, is to troll him and his family you should take a look at yourself.
"Because they took a perfectly legal trip of a lifetime and we have no idea it had anything to do with his subsequent illness two months later. That's a matter for the family they did nothing wrong.
"These anonymous cretins I see them turn on Sir Captain Tom Moore, abusing and mocking him who saved this country from the Nazis, who aged 99 raised millions for the NHS and motivated all of us and inspired all of us."
He added: "For these disgusting vermin to be abuse and mock his family at such a moment, where there are serious concerns about his life, is utterly contemptible."
'IN SO MANY HEARTS'
Captain Sir Tom's heartbroken family today confirmed this afternoon confirmed her had tragically passed away.
Daughters Hannah and Lucy said in a touching statement: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore.
"We are so grateful that we were with him during the last hours of his life; Hannah, Benjie and Georgia by his bedside and Lucy on FaceTime. We spent hours chatting to him, reminiscing about our childhood and our wonderful mother. We shared laughter and tears together.
"The last year of our father’s life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.
"Whilst he’d been in so many hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever."
His grieving daughters praised the "extraordinary" NHS and carers who helped their father in the last weeks and year of his life.
They branded them "unfalteringly professional, kind and compassionate" and thanked them for "giving us many more years with him than we ever would have imagined".
The statement added: "Over the past few days our father spoke a great deal about the last 12 months and how proud he felt at being able to leave behind the growing legacy of his Foundation.
"We politely ask for privacy at this time so we can grieve quietly as a family and remember the wonderful 100 years our father had.
"Thank you."
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The Queen had led tributes to the hero today and is sending a private message of condolence to his family.
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A Buckingham Palace spokesman: "Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Cpt 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."
Piers Morgan savages Sir Captain Tom Moore's Twitter trolls branding them 'disgusting vermin' for turning on Covid-stricken national hero
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