'Healthy and bubbly' man, 21, who had no underlying health conditions dies of Covid just two weeks after catching the virus

A 'healthy and bubbly' 21-year-old man who had no underlying health conditions died just two weeks after catching Covid-19.

Paul Stubbings passed away on August 16 after spending a fortnight battling the virus at Colchester Hospital in Essex. 

It is not clear if Mr Stubbings, from Colchester, was vaccinated against Covid. 

Today, best friend William Adams, 21, who described the popular pub chef as 'one in a million', described his shock at Mr Stubbings' death and said it 'should not have happened.' 

Mr Adams said: 'He was healthy so it's really scary. He managed to fight for two weeks then he just couldn't any longer.

'If someone like Paul with no health conditions can get Covid and pass away then anyone can. It is so, so worrying.'  

Paul Stubbings (right with his partner Rose Benton), 21, from Colchester, Essex, died two weeks after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 

Mr Stubbings, who had worked at the Hare and Hounds pub near his home in Birch, loved car meet-ups and was in a long-term relationship with his partner Rose Benton, 19, who Mr Adams said was left heartbroken by his death.  

Mr Adams said: 'It was coming up to their two year anniversary. She was his first proper girlfriend and he was such a gentleman.

'He really loved her. She is absolutely devastated.'

The chef's best friend went on to describe his friend as a 'pillar of the community' who 'always knew how to brighten up your day'.

He added: 'Paul was a very much-loved pillar of the community. He was a bubbly person and he would go into any room and he'd light it up.

'He had an infectious laugh and he always knew how to brighten up your day. He was my best friend and like a brother to me.

'Everyone loved him and he really was one of a kind. It should not have happened.'

Earlier today, family and friends took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Stubbings.

One person wrote: 'Paul Stubbings you were the biggest friendliness person I know im proud to have met you and you will always be in my heart forever I miss you so much already it just does not feel true that you are gone.'

Elsewhere another said: 'Paul Stubbings you will be hugely missed by so many people.'

The 21-year-old passed away on August 16 after spending a fortnight battling the virus at Colchester Hospital in Essex

Mr Adams has now set up a Gofundme fundraiser for Mr Stubbings' family and hopes to raise at least £4,000 to cover the costs of the funeral.

To donate visit here. 

Yesterday, Britain's daily Covid cases showed no signs of slowing down after Department of Health bosses posted another 33,904 positive tests, up 14.5 per cent on last Wednesday's figure of 29,612.

It is the third consecutive day that the rolling seven-day average — which offers a more accurate picture over the true state of the crisis because daily counts can fluctuate heavily — has risen. 

Meanwhile another 111 fatalities were recorded yesterday, up 6.7 per cent on last week. The average daily toll, which hasn't stood in triple figures since March, is now around 94.

And 773 Covid-infected patients were admitted to NHS hospitals on August 14, the most recent day UK-wide data is available for — up 8.6 per cent on the previous Saturday.