A US couple who were married for more than 50 years have tragically died from coronavirus just minutes apart, with the couple holding hands as they passed.

Johnny Lee Peoples, 67, and his wife Cathy "Darlene" Peoples, 65, started to feel symptoms at the start of August but would not live to see more than a few days of September.

Their son, Shane, is devastated.

“Mum and Dad lived hand to hand for 50 years, they died hand to hand, now they’re walking in heaven hand to hand," he said.

“The message our family would like to convey is that COVID is real. It’s not a hoax or a joke. Our parents took the proper precautions but tragically still contracted the virus.”

The pair were admitted to hospital on August 11th after testing positive to the virus earlier that week, as they both had difficulty breathing due to previous illnesses.

Darlene had high blood pressure, fibromyalgia and Type 2 diabetes and Johnny had pneumonia two years ago that caused damage to his lungs.

“(On Sept. 1), we were told they had no chance of surviving. Dad could continue to live on the ventilator but would never come off of it. Mom’s organs were failing,” Shane said.

“They both had pre-existing conditions. Just keep in mind, these didn’t kill my parents, COVID-19 did,” Shane said.

“This was the first time for that ICU staff to deal with two family members passing. The hospital staff was amazing through the whole thing.”

The couple is survived by their three children and nine grandchildren, but son Shane still feels "cheated".

“We were cheated,” Shane said in a Facebook post after his parents passed.

“My parents weren’t just a blessing for me, my brother, my sister, our spouses, and our children.

“They were a blessing to every person that met them... I just wish everyone could see them through my eyes. You would see the two most loving and caring couple, ever. Without them, this world just got a bit more gloomy.”

Photo credits: 7News