The family of New Zealand's latest COVID-19 victim is remembering him for being a "real Kiwi bloke".
George Hollings, in his 80s and a resident of Christchurch's Rosewood rest home, died on Saturday morning after earlier being transferred to Burwood Hospital.
"George will be remembered as a real Kiwi bloke, a rough diamond, who loved his deer stalking," the family said in a statement released by the Ministry of Health.
Hollings was a probable case of COVID-19 and had underlying health conditions.
The family said they wanted to thank all the hospital staff that cared for Hollings.
"We can't speak highly enough of the care dad received.
"You've clearly chosen the best, most compassionate staff to work at Burwood."
The family has requested privacy and time to grieve.
Eleven residents from the Linwood rest home have now died from COVID-19. Some of them were dementia patients and transferred from Rosewood to Burwood Hospital at the beginning of last month.
"Every person we lose to COVID-19 is a tragedy, with a family and friends left without their loved one," a Ministry of Health spokesman said on Saturday afternoon.
"Our thoughts are with George's family today and in the coming days."
It remains unclear how the deadly virus got into the Rosewood Rest Home.
