Covid 19 coronavirus: Son's heartbreaking plea after father's aged care death

A heartbroken son is calling for Aussies to wear masks after his father died of Covid-19. Photo / Channel 9

A grieving son has issued a powerful plea to Aussies on national television after saying goodbye to his coronavirus-stricken father on FaceTime.

Nicholas Barboussas lost his father Paul, 79, to the disease on Sunday afternoon.

His father had been living at St Basil's Homes for the Aged in Melbourne, Victoria, which has now seen 78 cases of Covid-19.

Nicholas told the Today show this morning his family had to say goodbye over FaceTime yesterday.

"The nurse that helped us with the FaceTime was great. We were able – we saw a smile on dad's face when he saw us and especially his grandkids," he said. "And it was comforting for us to see him albeit in a pretty bad way."

The situation was made even worse by the fact that he thought his father was out of harm's way less than 72 hours ago.

He said he received a call on Saturday afternoon telling him that his father was comfortably sitting in his room at the care home, isolated from the major coronavirus outbreak gripping the facility.

But in reality he was gravely unwell at the Northern Hospital.

Nicholas Barboussas farewelled his dying father over FaceTime. Photo / Channel 9

"We're struggling a little bit in terms of what has transpired 48 to 72 hours. It's been a bit of a blur to be honest with you," he said.

"We were in a situation we thought that our dad was out of harm's way, that he was isolated in an area of the home that was away from the actual outbreak was. Unfortunately that wasn't to be the case."

He said he hopes communication from the care home will improve for the sake of other families.

However, he finished his interview with a powerful plea to all Victorians.

"Put on your mask, listen to the Premier, to the chief health officer," he said. "A lot of people that are currently active are between the ages of 20 and 40. You are not invincible.

"And if you think you are invincible, please think of your grandparents, your parents, your co-workers, the lady in front of you in the checkout at the local supermarket and before you take that first step out of your front door, put on your mask."