The wife of a man thought to be the UK’s youngest coronavirus victim has paid tribute to her “soulmate” as she too was diagnosed with the disease.

Nick Matthews, 59, from Nailsea, Somerset, a former police officer, reportedly died at Bristol Royal Infirmary in the early hours of Saturday.

His wife, Mary, wrote on Facebook: “Today at 3am I lost my life partner and soul mate but most of all my best friend.

“Charlotte, Ben and I are beyond proud to have had such a big character in our lives. As a family we are still currently in isolation until the coronavirus test results come back.”

She later added that the test had come back positive and urged those who had been in contact with the family to self-isolate and seek advice.

The couple had returned from a holiday in Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands, at the end of last month.

Ms Matthews told the Nailsea People that her husband, who was disabled and unable to work, had previously suffered a heart attack. He had been taken into hospital with breathing difficulties on Thursday.

Mr Matthews was diagnosed with pneumonia and was admitted to the intensive care unit after showing other signs for coronavirus.

“People who may have come into contact with either Nick or me during the past two weeks need to self-isolate and get advice.

“Although he tested positive, until a post-mortem examination, we can’t say that was cause of death at the moment.

“I don’t want to panic people, but I do want people to take extra precautions.”

Many others also paid tribute to him on Facebook, with one describing him as a “true Avon and Somerset Police legend”.

In a statement, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Sadly, we can confirm that a man who was being cared for at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, and had tested positive for Covid-19, has died.

“The patient who died was in his late-fifties and had underlying health conditions.”

Councillor Don Davies, leader of North Somerset Council, said the authority’s “heartfelt condolences” were with the family and all that knew him.

“I understand that the family have requested privacy at this difficult time and I ask that everyone respects their wishes,” Mr Davies said.

On Saturday, Jet2 planes to Spain turned around mid-air as the airline suspended all flights to the country after all public places closed down.