Mother, son with Down syndrome die of coronavirus a week apart

LODI, N.J. — A mother and her son with Down syndrome in New Jersey died of the coronavirus a week apart.

Carolyn Martins-Reitz died in late March. About a week later, her son, Thomas Martins, died on his 30th birthday, WPIX reported."They were just very, very close. He was her world and she the same for him," Dana Regan, director of a special needs program, told WPIX.

Regan had known Carolyn and Thomas for more than 10 years.

“He was an avid dancer -- loved music. He was everybody’s friend,” Regan told WPIX. “Thomas was a very upbeat, happy-go-lucky kind of guy -- always smiling, super friendly.”

Thomas's stepfather and sister are dealing with both losses. A GoFundMe account was set up to help pay funeral and medical costs.