A VULNERABLE care home resident caught coronavirus and died in hospital from breathing failures and underlying cancer, an inquest heard.

Richard Anthony Morecock, aged 54, passed away at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital in April, at the peak of the first wave of the pandemic.

At an inquest into his death on Tuesday, January 26, Portsmouth Coroner's Court was told it was believed Mr Morecock had come into close contact with someone who had coronavirus at Thornford Park care home in Crookham Hill, Thatcham, before he was admitted to hospital.

Mr Morecock, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer and brain thrombosis in December 2019, was receiving full-time care at the home. He was identified as a person at risk of catching coronavirus and an assessment plan was carried out which recommended he self-isolated for 12 weeks from March 24, 2020.

Sadly, the inquest heard his physical health deteriorated which led to him being admitted to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital on April 8. It was there Mr Morecock tested positive for the coronavirus. He died six days later on April 16.

The coroner recorded a verdict of death by 'respiratory failures due to Covid-19 and cancer'.