The Health Minister had paid tribute to a third island victim of the coronavirus pandemic.

Brendan Maxwell, 74, of Onchan, died in intensive care at Noble’s Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, 12 days after being admitted to the hospital with breathing difficulties.

A mechanic by trade, Brendan had been a taxi driver for 38 years.

He was also a keen cyclist and a long-standing member of the Ellan Vannin Cycling Club.

He leaves wife Diane, daughters Wendy, Samantha, Natalie and Melanie, two grandsons Matthew and Louis and his sister Carol Maxwell, who lives in Oregon in the USA.

You can read a tribute from his heartbroken family in this week’s Courier.

Health Minster David Ashford told reporters that Brendan will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He described him as a ’wonderful husband and father’.

He added: ’The best way we can honour his memory is to continue our fight as a united community.’

Coronavirus has claimed the lives of four island residents.

The total number of Covid cases had now reached 284, up 26 from yesterday, with 154 presumed recovered, leaving 126 active cases.

There have been 2,316 tests undertaken, with results back from 2,172.