Father-of-ten forced to battle Covid-19 and pneumonia alone in hospital due to pandemic restrictions - but his family were finally allowed to say goodbye at the 11th hour

• John Talo has nine sons and a daughter and tested positive to Covid in November
• His family were unable to see him in hospital in Melbourne due to restrictions
• Lived in a three-bedroom home with his wife Ellen, children, and grandchildren 

A father-of-ten has tragically died after a gruelling battle with Covid-19 and Pneumonia.

John Talo tested positive to coronavirus in November, but his condition became life-threatening about a month later when his inflamed lungs filled with fluid - which quickly became infected. 

His wife Ellen, daughter, nine sons, two grandchildren, brothers and sisters were forced to pray for a recovery from home due to strict limits on visitors in Melbourne hospitals during the pandemic, as his condition continued to deteriorate.

Early on Sunday morning, health authorities finally allowed his entire family to be by his bedside to say goodbye.

'At 3am, my dearest father took his last breath,' his daughter wrote on Facebook.

'I’m just at a loss for words. My number one supporter. My rock. My endless love.

'Spoiled me even when I was a brat to you. I’ll love and adore you forever dad. See you when God calls me home. Love from ur little princess always.'  

Mr Talo's cousin Theresa Cowan said he and his wife were in the middle of renovating their three-bedroom home to make space for all 12 of their children and grandchildren when tragedy struck.

She created a created a Go Fund Me campaign to raise money for funeral costs and expenses, now that Mrs Talo is a single mum.

'This family is the first to be there to help, love and support anyone going through a hard time and will give whatever they have to help others,' Ms Cowan wrote.

'If anyone can lend a hand or a few spare dollars to this incredible family after this devastating massive loss that would be amazing and take away just a small part of their stress.'

Any leftover funds will go towards finishing the renovations.

Loved ones in Australia and New Zealand, where Mr Talo was born, flocked to social media to express their condolences.

'John is a man that I look up to and strive to be like. Humble and honest man,' one user wrote.

Another said: 'No way I can’t believe this lost for words.'

Victoria recorded 34,836 cases and 18 deaths overnight on Friday.

Hospitalisations have increased to 976 - up from 953 - while ICU figures have risen to 112 - up from 111.