A number of NHS and private healthcare staff, from heart surgeons to nurses, porters and volunteers, have lost their lives to the coronavirus in the UK.
The government says there have been 49 verified deaths of NHS staff from Covid-19 during the pandemic, but it is clear that many others have died. The Guardian has recorded 200 deaths that have been reported in the news, but the true figure is likely to be higher because not all deaths will be in the public domain.
Many family members of those who have died have complained that health professionals are not being given adequate protective equipment as they deal with coronavirus cases.
If you would like to share any further names and stories with us, or feel there are people we have missed out, then please email sarah.marsh@theguardian.com. We hope to document and pay tribute to those who have died working on the frontline of the pandemic.
We will be adding the cases to a database and hope to examine these deaths in more detail at a later date.
Joselito Habab
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Warrington hospital
Date of death: 20 May 2020
Habab contracted Covid-19 while working on the frontline of the pandemic, and died in the early hours of 20 May. Known as Jo to his colleagues, he worked at Warrington hospital for 18 years and has been described by staff as a “kind, considerate gentleman who touched so many lives in so many different ways”.
Jeanette McKenna, 53
Occupation: Care home nurse
Place of work: Whitecraigs Care Home
Date of death: N/A
McKenna was described as an “all round amazing woman” by those who worked with her at the Whitecraigs care home in Thornliebank, near Glasgow.
Her son Alex Fernie wrote an emotional public post describing his mum as “selfless” and urging everyone to take coronavirus seriously.
He also shared a video on TikTok of her dancing with a 102-year-old resident of the care home Percy Mann.
Andrew Ekene Nwankwo, 46
Occupation: Locum nurse
Place of work: Broomfield hospital
Date of death: 16 May 2020
Nwankwo died after spending five weeks on a ventilator in intensive care. His brother, Tochukwu, said he had tried to buy his own personal protective equipment online. A spokesman for the hospital said there had never been a lack of PPE.
Tochukwu Nwankwo, 45, said his brother first reported coronavirus symptoms on 4 April and self-isolated, but his condition worsened. He was admitted in the early hours of 11 April but never left intensive care.
Neil Ruch
Occupation: Paramedic
Place of work: East of England ambulance service
Date of death: 18 May
Ruch, who worked at Basildon ambulance station in Essex, died after being admitted to hospital in April. He worked as a paramedic with EEAS since 2013. He originally came from Vevey in Switzerland and lived in Canvey Island.
Ruch, who had previously worked at London ambulance service from 2006 to 2013, is the second EEAS staff member to die with Covid-19. He had been on a ventilator in intensive care in Basildon hospital.
Paul Nutt, 60
Occupation: Patient transport service team
Place of work: South Central ambulance service (SCAS)
Date of death: Unknown
Nutt worked as part of the patient transport service team based at the Wexham Park hospital site in Berkshire. He had also worked as a hospital liaison officer. He leaves behind his wife, Kim, and two daughters, Charlotte and Louise.
Bob Sutcliffe, vehicle and equipment manager at SCAS, said: “Paul had been in the intensive care unit at Wexham Park hospital for the last three weeks battling against Covid-19 and despite all the efforts of the team looking after him, he lost that struggle.
“He was a man who truly lived the SCAS values and, having earlier this year celebrated his 60th birthday in New York with his family, it seems barely believable that such a short time after those joyous celebrations he is no longer with us.”
Paul Kabasele
Occupation: Eye doctor
Place of work: Moorfields eye hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Paul was a senior speciality doctor and worked at Croydon university hospital for a decade. Moorfields eye hospital NHS trust said: “[He was] A truly gifted and hard-working doctor, Paul treated patients with a range of conditions including glaucoma and uveitis as well as providing urgent care through our rapid access clinic. Much loved by his patients and colleagues alike, Paul provided an exceptional level of care to his patients, thanks to his warm, reassuring and generous nature.
“Alongside his vital NHS contribution, Paul also worked tirelessly to improve the eye health of people living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), his home country.”
He was also a church pastor for over 30 years, providing support to those in his local community and in the DRC, organising conferences on issues such as health, marriage and self-empowerment.
David Probert, the chief executive of Moorfields eye hospital, said: “Paul was a much-loved member of the Moorfields family. Through the past decade, he provided an exceptional level of care to his patients. He was incredibly hardworking, kind, gentle and a joy to work with. He will be sorely missed by many and his death is a huge loss to us all. Our thoughts are with Paul’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time.”
Mohinder Singh Dhatt, 80
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Kumar medical centre
Date of death: Unknown
Dhatt is believed to have been one of Slough’s longest-serving GPs. He had been working at the Kumar medical centre in Slough until 28 February this year and previously as a partner at the nearby Langley health centre.
A statement from the clinical commissioning group said: “East Berkshire CCG is very sad to learn of the death of Dr Mohinder Singh Dhatt, one of our longest-standing GPs in Slough.”
Abdel Babiker, 70
Occupation: Consultant physician
Place of work: Scarborough hospital
Date of death: 18 May 2020
York teaching hospital NHS foundation trust said Babiker had been receiving care in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.
Dr Ed Smith, director of acute, emergency and elderly medicine for Scarborough hospital, said: “Dr Babiker was an extremely energetic, hard-working, approachable and dedicated doctor. He had a wealth of experience that he brought to bear in caring for our patients.
“He was particularly notable for his ‘can-do’ attitude and supportive nature, and was well-liked by patients and staff alike. He will be sorely missed.”
Liz Spooner, 62
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Singleton hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Liz Spooner worked in the same Welsh hospital for 41 years. The health chief told of the “great sadness” felt by her colleagues and friends that coronavirus had claimed her life at Singleton hospital in Swansea, south Wales.
She was a registered nurse in Singleton hospital, mainly working in the coronary care unit and ward nine.
Hospital director Jan Worthing said: “Liz has always given her all, delivering an excellent standard of care. She was well-known throughout Singleton as a fantastic, caring colleague with a dry sense of humour.
“Liz will be sorely missed by us all and leaves a massive hole in the Singleton family.”
Liz, who lived in Swansea, is survived by her daughter Zoe, 31. Worthing said: “Our thoughts are with Liz’s daughter Zoe and her family.” Colleagues paid tribute to “much-loved Liz”.
Lillian Mudzivare, 41
Occupation: Senior mental health nurse
Place of work: Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS foundation trust
Date of death: Unknown
Lillian Mudzivare, who worked as a senior mental health nurse, died following a long battle with coronavirus, the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS foundation trust said.
Carlos Sia
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Worcestershire Royal hospital
Date of death: 15 May 2020
Sia died in Worcestershire Royal hospital after contracting coronavirus. He leaves behind a wife and a daughter in the UK and three sons in the Philippines. His colleagues described him as “kind, gentle man with a wonderful smile”.
They said they had huge respect for him and loved working with him as he always treated patients with respect, gentleness and care.
In a statement, the trust said: “His quiet, gentle and respectful nature, his generosity of spirit, his sense of humour and his calming influence also made him popular with patients.”
They also said: ‘We have lost a valued member of our trust family – and in Carlos’s case, the word ‘family’ has a special relevance, as his wife, Cindy, works [at the hospital] as a healthcare assistant and his daughter, Clair, is a nurse on our acute stroke unit.”
Evelyn Nicolas
Occupation: Care worker
Place of work: Maypole Grove care home
Date of death: 14 May 2020
Evelyn Nicolas died after contracting coronavirus. A friend, who set up a fundraising page for the care worker’s family, said: “With a heavy heart I announce the death of my colleague and friend Evelyn Nicolas.
“An amazing health care worker who would do anything to keep a smile on others’ faces. She leaves behind two daughters, her husband, her family and friends in this sad time.”
Confirming Nicolas’s death, the manager at Maypole Grove care home, Arron Breen, said: “We can confirm that one of our colleagues sadly passed away on 14 May. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their family and friends during this difficult time.”
Alanzo Smith, 62
Occupation: Mental health worker
Place of work: Barnet, Enfield and Haringey mental health trust
Date of death: 10 May 2020
The 62-year-old, from Chingford, had been a mental health worker at the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey mental health trust for 22 years before his death.
His twin brother, Spurgeon, a technical demonstrator from Kings Heath, Birmingham, said Alanzo had been in hospital since 14 April after testing positive for Covid-19. “We haven’t stopped crying since,” he told PA Media.
Alanzo migrated from Jamaica at the age of 14 and relocated to Bilston, near Wolverhampton, with his family where he attended the local secondary school.
Resy Manalo
Occupation: Care home nurse
Place of work: County Homes
Date of death: 7 May 2020
Manalo, 64, moved to the UK from the Philippines in 2006 to work as a carer at County Homes in Birkenhead. She worked as a nursing assistant at the County Homes facility in Woodchurch, Wirral.
The mother of three was admitted to hospital on 26 April after two weeks of feeling unwell with fever-like symptoms. She had been self-isolating at home before calling an ambulance.
Safaa Alam, 30
Occupation: Midwife
Place of work: Birmingham Women’s hospital
Date of death: 14 May 2020
Safaa Alam, 30, had worked at Birmingham Women’s hospital for six years and during the early days of the Covid-19 crisis she spoke of her desire to help.
She wrote in a Facebook post: “I am a midwife and will make sure you and your baby are safe when you need our help at the hospital. Everybody please help me stay safe by staying at home as much as you can.”
Alam died two weeks after the death of her father. She was described by the trust as an inspirational and much-loved member of staff known for her kindness and compassion.
Jun Terre, 52
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Buckinghamshire healthcare trust
Date of death: 14 May 2020
Jun Terre worked as part of the nursing team. Buckinghamshire healthcare trust has paid tribute to the “quiet and kind” man, sending their condolences to his wife, who also works for the trust.
In a statement, the trust said: “Jun will be sorely missed by his colleagues, particularly those on ward 7 at Stoke Mandeville where he worked as one of our amazing healthcare assistants.”
Norman Austria, 61
Occupation: Emergency care practitioner
Place of work: East Surrey hospital
Date of death: 13 May 2020
Norman Austria worked at the university hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) trust and died at Royal Derby hospital after being treated for coronavirus. Colleagues at the trust said his memory would live on in the song You Are My Sunshine, which he would often be heard singing to calm and reassure patients.
Gavin Boyle, the chief executive of UHDB, said: “Whilst we did not get to work with Norman for very long, he epitomised the trust values and consistently demonstrated care and compassion towards his patients. Nothing was too much trouble, he was always happy to make time to chat with his patients.
“Norman’s energy and smile will be sadly missed by the whole ward and the wider team … our thoughts are with Norman’s family at this sad time.”
Thaung Htaik, 65
Occupation: Doctor
Place of work: Great Western hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Thaung Htaik was a consultant in general medicine at the hospital and is survived by his wife, four children, and three grandchildren.
His family released a statement, saying: “Thaung was a beloved husband, father and grandfather who we will miss greatly. He always put others first and we know just how committed he was to looking after his patients both at this difficult time and throughout his career.
“We would personally like to thank everyone who worked with Thaung, and also everyone who looked after him so well while he was in hospital.”
Julie Edward
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Royal Berkshire hospital
Date of death: Unknown
The head of the Royal Berkshire NHS foundation trust and other colleagues have paid tribute and praised Julie Edward’s wealth of experience and dedication to the job. The chief executive, Steve McManus, said: “We are deeply saddened to report the death of nurse Julie Edward who had worked at the trust since 2017.
“She was a much loved and valued colleague and touched on the lives of many who worked alongside her at the Royal Berkshire hospital. Her kindness and dedication to her job and patients was clear and she will be very sadly missed.”
Peter Gough, 56
Occupation: Administration assistant
Place of work: Oxford University hospitals NHS foundation trust
Date of death: 12 May 2020
The trust said the 56-year-old worked in the gastroenterology and hepatology departments, and before that, supporting neurosciences.
It added: “Peter was a well-liked colleague who was kind and caring. He played an important role in supporting the delivery of seamless patient care through his work in ensuring patient documentation was readily available.”
Peter Hart, 52
Occupation: Emergency care practitioner
Place of work: East Surrey hospital
Date of death: 12 May 2020
Peter Hart, a former South East Coast ambulance service (SECAmb) paramedic, died on his 52nd birthday. He worked shifts in the emergency department at East Surrey hospital before joining Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS trust full-time in 2017. His family described him as “an amazing husband and dad”.
Karamat Ullah Mirza, 84
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Old Road medical practice
Date of death: 10 May 2020
Mirza worked at Old Road medical practice in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex. His widow, Estelle, told the Clacton Gazette: “He was no ordinary man, he was an extraordinary, exceptional and astonishing man, who was absolutely fearless and daring and had enormous knowledge.
“He worked endlessly for the NHS and non-stop for this country, and he was known and loved by everyone in Clacton and he loved all his staff and patients and this town.” She said he had been seeing patients until two weeks ago.
Dr Ed Garratt, the chief executive of the NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk, NHS West Suffolk and NHS North East Essex clinical commissioning groups, said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr Mirza, a respected and much-loved GP who had served the patients in his local community for more than four decades.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and practice colleagues, and all our efforts will be focused on supporting them at this difficult time.”
Poornima Nair, 56
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Station View medical centre
Date of death: 12 May 2020
Nair, a GP at a practice in County Durham, had been on life support since 27 March having been taken ill two weeks earlier. She is not thought to have had any underlying health issues.
Her practice manager Sarah Westgarth described her as “positive, encouraging and so caring”. She said: “It’s quite unbelievable that seven weeks down the line, as a practice we are having to mourn the death of someone who is so important to us and a real focal point of the surgery.
“I really feel for her family - her mum, husband and son. Her heart was with the NHS and what she could do to help her patients and the staff. She’ll be so missed.”
Phil Rennie
Occupation: Ambulance care assistant
Place of work: North West ambulance service
Date of death: 10 May 2020
Rennie, a patient transport service care assistant for the North West ambulance service based in Oldham, contracted Covid-19 and died at Fairfield general hospital, the service’s chief executive, Daren Mochrie, said.
Mochrie said: “Phil leaves his wife Karen, son Adam, and extended family. He has been part of the NWAS family since 2015 and has dedicated his career to serving the public, previously working in local authority and public services.
“Phil was extremely proud to work for NWAS, offering comfort and care to those in need. Our role is a privileged one, we meet people at their most vulnerable, and I am sure there are many people whose lives were touched by Phil during his career.
“We have been supporting Phil’s family during this terrible time and they are in the thoughts of everyone here at NWAS – our deepest sympathies go out to them. Phil will be sorely missed by us all.
“I would like to thank our hospital colleagues in Fairfield general hospital for their care, compassion and professionalism while caring for our friend, and I know they will also feel the loss of a colleague from the NHS family.”
Onyenachi Obasi, 51
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: 6 May 2020
Obasi has been described as “a kind, beautiful, loving and well respected person in her community of Barking and Dagenham” by those who set up a crowdfunder for her. The page continues: “Onyenachi was a sweet soul and touched many lives. A lot of hearts are broken in our community.”
It says she contracted coronavirus while at work and died due to complications from the virus.
Eyitolami Olaolorun
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: Unknown
A tribute page has been set up for Olaolorun by her family. It reads: “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our sweet mother Eyitolami Olaolorun. Known fondly as Aunty Tola, Iya Junior and Iya Nurse.
“She was a strong, hardworking, inspirational woman. A mother to many. She touched and supported the lives of all the people she made contact with.
“She was an excellent paediatric nurse with 40 years of experience. She was caring and compassionate towards all her patients and their families, so much so, that some of them have become part of our extended family.
“Our mother meant the world to us having sacrificed her best years raising four children on her own. She worked tirelessly to ensure we were loved, nurtured and educated.
“The loss of our mother has left us heartbroken. We know that we are not alone in this loss, we share our pain with her siblings, her grandchildren, her extended family, our adopted aunts and uncles, her friends and the many children who she loved dearly.”
Rachel Makombe Chikanda, 67
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: Unknown
Chikanda had retired but the Zimbabwean nurse came back to work to assist frontline staff in the fight against the pandemic.
She died at Royal London hospital after spending 21 days on a ventilator. The former Parirenyatwa hospital nurse worked in the field for 47 years before retiring at 65.
The London region of the Royal College of Nursing said: “We are devastated to learn of the deaths of two more members of the nursing family.
“Our hearts go out to the families of Rachel Makombe Chikanda and Eyitolami Olaolorun. We will remember them, and their dedication to their patients and to nursing will not be forgotten.”
Augustine Agyei-Mensah
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS foundation trust
Date of death: Unknown
Agyei-Mensah worked with patients with learning disabilities for Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS foundation trust (NHFT). He is survived by his wife and four children.
In a statement, his family said: “Augustine was a caring husband and loving father to four children. We are devastated by his loss. He was a dedicated, hard-working and proud NHS worker who will be missed by all who knew him.”
Rutendo Mukotsanjera
Occupation: Mental health support officer
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: Unknown
Mukotsanjera moved to the UK from Harare, Zimbabwe, about 18 years ago. She had an undergraduate and master’s degrees in human resource management and worked in a number of care facilities as a mental health support officer.
Buzzfeed reported that she often took on extra shifts to support her daughter and send money back to her family in Zimbabwe, where she also had a 22-year-old son, Shungu.
Tariq Shafi, 61
Occupation: Cancer specialist
Place of work: Darent Valley hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Shafi was a leading British-Pakistani cancer specialist, originally from Lahore. The King Edward’s Medical College graduate came to the UK in 2007 with his wife, Varda Tariq Shafi, and children.
He worked as a consultant haematologist at Darent Valley hospital in Dartford, Kent. Speaking to Geo News, Shafi’s family called him a martyr (shaheed) who died while fighting Covid-19 to save others and believed that his life was dedicated to treating the needy and sick.
“Tariq passed away in the blessed month of Ramadan in line of duty. Even after he had developed symptoms of corona and isolated at home, he continued to do telephone clinics,” Varda told Geo News.
Jennie Sablayan
Occupation: Nurse and adviser
Place of work: University College London hospital
Date of death: 5 May 2020
Sablayan died in West Middlesex hospital. She dedicated her life to being a nurse and worked at UCLH in London, as well as being an adviser to a nursing agency. She leaves behind her husband and two daughters, 10 and 14.
A crowdfunder page set up for her reads: “She was an amazing wife and the most loving mother, and our prayers go out to of all them all during this difficult time.
“The shock and hurt that her loved ones must be feeling can never be fixed, but I am hoping that by raising for them will support them financially and with some difficulty now and in the future, and allow Jennie’s daughters to have the best possible future. Please help us reach and even exceed our target for Jennie’s family.”
Samson Maja
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Barnet, Enfield and Haringey mental health NHS trust
Date of death: Unknown
Maja worked in the Enfield community mental health team based at Silver Street in Enfield Town. He was working for the trust through an agency but was previously employed as a nurse in the Enfield home treatment team based at Chase Farm hospital until March 2015.
A spokesperson from Barnet, Enfield and Haringey mental health NHS trust said: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the loss of our colleague and friend Samson Maja due to coronavirus.
“Samson was a highly respected colleague who will be deeply missed by his family, friends, trust staff and patients. We ask that you please respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
Van Lang Hoang
Occupation: Patient transport driver
Place of work: Barts health NHS trust
Date of death: 14 April 2020
His death was announced by Barts health NHS trust on Monday 4 May. His son, Paul Hoang, said: “My father was one of the most kind-hearted people I’ve ever known and is an inspiration to all around him. A man who always saw the best in everyone and will be greatly missed by family, his friends, colleagues and patients.”
Robert Black
Occupation: Paramedic
Place of work: Scottish Ambulance Service
Date of death: 2 May 2020
Black, from Campbeltown, died in a Glasgow hospital. Pauline Howie, chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) said the service had been “greatly saddened” by the loss of a “dear colleague”.
And on behalf of the SAS, she offered her “heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies” to his family.
Howie added: “I would also like to thank our NHS Scotland colleagues for the compassionate care they have shown our friend during their illness.”
Robert Pollock, secretary of GMB Scotland’s ambulance branch, said: “It is devastating for the whole ambulance service as it is a big close-knit family.
“Everyone who works in the NHS has the same fears as everyone else. However, they are professionals so they will get out there and do what they’ve got to do.”
Pollock said the problems with protective equipment for paramedics identified at the start of the pandemic were being addressed.
Dr Habibhai Babu
Occupation: Senior house officer
Place of work: Whipps Cross hospital – Barts health NHS trust
Date of death: Unknown
The doctor, known to colleagues as Babu, worked at Whipps Cross hospital in Leytonstone, east London. His death was announced by Barts health NHS trust.
Afua Fofie
Occupation: Healthcare support worker
Place of work: Hounslow and Richmond community healthcare NHS trust
Date of death: Unknown
Hounslow and Richmond community healthcare NHS trust said: “Any loss of life is tragic but losing a member of the HRCH family is particularly hard. Afua was a valued colleague and loved as a friend by those she worked with. She is greatly missed.”
Lalaine Lopez Pesario, 53
Occupation: Care home nurse
Place of work: Mumbles nursing home
Date of death: 3 May 2020
Pesario worked at Mumbles nursing home in Swansea since October 2018.
The mother-of-one, from nearby Skewen, was praised for her dedication to the job and her positive attitude towards care home residents and fellow staff members.
A GoFundMe page has now been set up in her memory by her family and friends. It reads: “Lalaine’s kindness and generosity was overflowing. Her smile and laugh was infectious.
“Those who know her can attest that she can talk for endless hours about anything and everything and her voice is definitely one that we will all miss. Rest well our angel.”
Dr Saad Al-Dubbaisi
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: 3 May 2020
Al-Dubbaisi, a “loving and kind” GP from Bury who “gave everything for the community”, died on 3 May, aged 59, after several weeks of illness with Covid-19.
Born in Iraq, Dr Al-Dubbaisi worked in the Greater Manchester town for almost 20 years, his daughter told the Bury Times.
Eleuterio Gibela, 68
Occupation: Domestic services worker
Place of work: Blackpool teaching hospital NHS trust
Date of death: 2 May 2020
The father of two, known by colleagues as Boy, died on Saturday 2 May after testing positive for the virus.
Gibela had worked in domestic services at Blackpool teaching hospital NHS trust for nearly 20 years.
Ray Lever
Occupation: Domestic services team
Place of work: Sheffield teaching hospitals NHS foundation trust
Date of death: 1 May 2020
The trust’s chief executive, Kirsten Major, wrote on Facebook: “A day we hoped would never come. We had hoped the day when we lost a colleague to this awful virus would never come and we are heartbroken to learn that our colleague Ray Lever lost his battle with Covid-19 yesterday.”
Major said Lever was a popular member of the domestic services team and had previously worked in inpatient areas at the Northern general hospital, “but early on in the outbreak, he had transferred to work in non-patient areas which meant he had become known to even more colleagues for his cheery manner”.
“Ray’s family and work colleagues have described him as ‘always cheerful and the first to offer someone help, the perfect dad, grandad and a credit to the NHS,’” she said.
Mark Woolcock
Occupation: Ambulance care assistant
Place of work: Barts health NHS trust
Date of death: Unknown
Woolcock was one of four members of Barts health NHS trust to die after contracting Covid-19. His death was announced by the trust.
Mark Piggott, 57
Occupation: Lead of capital projects and programmes
Place of work: Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS foundation trust
Date of death: 1 May 2020
Piggott was responsible for leading capital projects and programmes. Before joining the team in 2019, he oversaw capital project delivery at neighbouring trusts.
Sarah-Jane Marsh, chief executive of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS foundation trust, said: “Whilst we did not get to work with Mark for very long, his impact across the organisation was immense, and we already considered him an important part of our BWC family.
“As our hearts break a little more, we think of his wife and family and hold in our thoughts everything that Mark stood for, in particular the role that a therapeutic environment can play in the outcomes of women, children, young people and families.
“Mark, thank you for everything you did in your short time with us, and we promise to stay true to your values, and fight even harder for the new facilities we dreamed of together.
“May you rest in peace and may God bless you and your loved ones always.”
Piggott was a devoted husband and father to boys. His wife Julie said: “Mark was a great family man, a loving husband and fantastic dad to our sons Daniel and Alex. We’re devastated to have to say goodbye to him.
“We would like to pay tribute to the staff at Sandwell general hospital, who have cared for Mark and supported us as a family with compassion and kindness over the past few weeks.
“We’d ask that you respect our wish for privacy at this difficult time, as we start to come to terms with our terrible loss.”
Elma Cavalida
Occupation: Maternity assistant
Place of work: Northwick Park hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Cavalida worked as a maternity assistant at Northwick Park hospital, where she was a valued member of the day assessment unit team.
London North West University healthcare NHS trust said Cavalida was known for her warmth, kindness and compassion, and for her true dedication to taking care of mothers-to-be.
“Those who knew her well describe how she welcomed everyone who came into the unit with a smile. She would do everything in her power to help others – nothing was ever too much trouble,” it said.
“Elma was much loved by our mums-to-be and her colleagues alike, and she will be very greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this time.”
She was diagnosed with curable cancer just over a month before she contracted coronavirus. Her partner, Vikas Deshwal, 35, told Metro.co.uk that the qualified midwife, who continued to work after her cancer diagnosis, “was one of the most bubbly and alive people I have ever met”.
Cecilia Fashanu, 63
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Cumberland infirmary
Date of death: 30 April 2020
Fashanu had been an agency nurse at Cumberland infirmary for two years. North Cumbria integrated care NHS foundation trust said in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that I have to inform you that a second colleague of ours recently passed away after contracting Covid-19.
“Cecilia will be sorely missed by her husband and children. We are speaking with her family, offering our deepest condolences at this incredibly difficult time.
“Cecilia had been an agency nurse covering shifts on a number of wards at the Cumberland infirmary over the last two years. She was a much-loved colleague and her death is felt across the organisation as a whole.”
Philomina Cherian, 62
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: John Radcliffe hospital
Date of death: 30 April 2020
Cherian worked at the acute admissions unit at the city’s John Radcliffe hospital as part of a 15-year NHS career.
She died at the hospital due to Covid-19, Oxford University hospitals (OUH) NHS foundationtrust said. Her husband, Joseph Varkey, 63, said he never had a chance to say goodbye.
Cherian, from the Marston area of Oxford, had spent the last two weeks in intensive care. Varkey said: “It was really difficult to see her go like this.
“When she left for the hospital in the ambulance, I didn’t tell her goodbye as I didn’t know it was the last time I was going to speak to her and see her in person.
“She was known by many within the NHS and was seen as a valued member of the organisation. She dedicated her career to helping save lives, even though she had diabetes and, recently, asthma.
“Many people contacted the family regarding the sad news, showing that Philomina was beloved by many and will always be remembered.”
Sam Foster, chief nursing officer at the trust, said: “She was an incredibly caring friend and colleague who will be terribly missed by us all.”
Gill Oakes
Occupation: Senior clinical support nurse
Place of work: Bolton hospice
Date of death: 30 April 2020
In a tribute, Leigh Vallance, chief executive of Bolton hospice, said she was devastated at the loss of her friend and colleague.
She said: “[Gill] was a dedicated and compassionate member of our team, caring for patients at Bolton hospice for nearly 24 years. She will be dearly missed by us all.
“Gill was the sort of person who always offered to help others – nothing was ever too much trouble for her. She was a brilliant nurse who often helped new members of the team settle into their role at the hospice. We will always remember her kindness and her lovely smile.
“We’d like to thank our colleagues at Royal Bolton hospital for taking care of Gill, and our thoughts are with her family at this impossibly sad time.”
Mark Stanley, 57
Occupation: Paramedic
Place of work: Yorkshire ambulance service
Date of death: 30 April 2020
Stanley, 57, died in Calderdale Royal hospital in Halifax, a week after being admitted with coronavirus. Fellow paramedic Mark Rattigan told the BBC he was a “great bloke”.
“He was just a very, very decent, dedicated guy who lived for his family,” said Rattigan. “I aspire to be someone like him. He was such a great bloke. I knew him for 32 years from when he came out of the army.”
Stanley, who was a paramedic for more than 30 years after military service in the Life Guards regiment. Rattigan said: “He was as fit as a lop. He used to do open water swimming, he cycled everywhere, he didn’t smoke, he drank infrequently, he looked after himself. When we were having fish and chips he’d be having a salad and nuts.”
Furqan Ali Siddiqui, 50
Occupation: Plastic surgeon
Place of work: Manchester Royal infirmary
Date of death: 30 April 2020
Siddiqui was father to six children, who live in Pakistan with his wife, Fazia, who works as a doctor at a medical college in the city of Karachi. His colleagues said he moved to Manchester recently and was coming to the end of his training. The 50-year-old was a plastic surgeon and had started working on the frontline treating patients with coronavirus.
A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS foundation trust (MFT) said: “It is with great sadness that we can announce the death of a member of staff who worked at Wythenshawe hospital.
“Dr Furqan Ali Siddiqui was a clinical fellow in our burns and plastics department at Wythenshawe hospital and sadly died on 30 April. He was being treated for Covid-19.
“We extend our sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to Furqan’s family and all our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time.
“Furqan joined MFT in October 2019 and had also undertaken a significant amount of work at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, which is part of our trust. Furqan was a valued and much respected member of the team at MFT and will be sadly missed by all those who knew him and worked with him.”
Momudou Dibba
Occupation: Housekeeper
Place of work: Watford general hospital
Date of death: 29 April 2020
Momudou “Mo” Dibba, who worked on Watford general hospital’s Letchmore and Langley wards, died on 29 April after testing positive for Covid-19.
West Hertfordshire hospitals NHS trust said Dibba would often work extra shifts on reception after finishing his main job in the ward, and at weekends.
“Anyone who knew Mo would know how kind, caring and considerate he was to patients and staff,” the trust said in a statement.
“He would go above and beyond for everyone, organising staff leaving parties and supporting everyone in their roles. He will be sorely missed.”
Suzanne Loverseed, 63
Occupation: Care home nurse
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: 29 April 2020
Suzanne Loverseed, 63, was a care home nurse who died after contracting Covid-19. In a tribute posted online, her son, Ian O’Neal, described her as a “lioness” who gave everything for her children.
He wrote: “At the end, she worked in a care home, with patients dying of this virus. She had no PPE [personal protective equipment] but fearlessly she carried on. That’s what killed her. That is also just like her: fancying the rules of nature, or the odds, somehow didn’t apply to her. But they did. It seems somehow unsurprising, then, that she died as she lived: sacrificing herself for others.
“There are some people out there still urging that the virus is not that threatening, or that the government has overreacted, or that it doesn’t matter if a few oldies die,” he wrote. “They are mistaken. My mother was 63: too young to die but old enough to die from this; a statistic to others, but the very heart of our family.
“We might have had another 20 years with her; instead, we had to say goodbye via an iPad, unable to hold her hand. Her grandson is not yet three. About 25,000 other families will know what I mean when I say that I hope to God such people never have personal cause to amend their opinions.”
Before working in care homes, his mother was a nurse for decades, caring for the sick and vulnerable, including the liver failure intensive treatment unit at King’s College hospital.
Mike Brown, 61
Occupation: Porter
Place of work: University hospital Southampton
Date of death: 29 April 2020
Brown had worked for 20 years at University hospital Southampton (UHS).
A spokesman for the NHS trust said that Thursday’s ClapForCarers outside Southampton general hospital would be held in honour of the 61-year-old.
He said: “University hospital Southampton has today confirmed the death of a member of staff, Mike Brown, aged 61, who had tested positive for coronavirus on admission to Southampton general hospital.
“Mike, a linen porter who had been with the organisation for 20 years, had an underlying health condition and sadly passed away after receiving treatment in our critical care unit in the early hours of yesterday morning.”
Paula Head, chief executive of UHS, said: “Mike had been with our hospital for 20 years and played a significant role supporting services that enable patients to receive great care and experiences.
“He was well recognised and popular with so many staff, once nominated by colleagues for a Hospital Heroes award for always going above and beyond and he often shared his good sense of humour with everyone around.
“Our thoughts are with Mike’s partner, Sandy, and his family and he will remain fondly in our thoughts, particularly those of his close colleagues and the staff he worked with on the wards regularly.”
Nasir Khan
Occupation: Locum doctor
Place of work: Mid Yorkshire hospital NHS trust
Date of death: 29 April 2020
Khan was a locum doctor for Mid Yorkshire hospital NHS trust’s medical wards at the Dewsbury and District hospital site. He fell ill with the virus at the end of March and, as a resident of Bolton, he was admitted to Bolton NHS foundation trust on 6 April.
Martin Barkley, chief executive of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS foundation trust, said: “In the six months he worked with us Dr Khan had become a very well liked and valued member of the team with everyone, including nursing and junior doctor colleagues. They have spoken of his incredibly positive nature, his kindness and his compassion for his patients.
“He also showed fantastic leadership: he was absolutely dedicated to the wellbeing of the junior staff he was working with, and his thoughtfulness and considerate manner shone out to everyone who met him.
“We consider ourselves very fortunate to have had such a doctor as Dr Khan working for the trust, and we are all devastated to learn of his death. It is impossible to put into words how much our hearts go out to his family and friends.
“This news is a terrible reminder of the consequences of this pandemic that so many families are having to face. My thanks go to every member of our staff at Mid Yorkshire who – in the same spirit of courage and compassion that Dr Khan so clearly showed – continue to leave their families at home, put themselves on the frontline, and come into work every day to care for our patients.”
The trust is flying the union jack at half-mast at Dewsbury hospital as a mark of respect.
Dr Khan has left behind his wife and three children. His son, Mahad Ali Khan, said: “My dad was a loving, caring and much-loved father, husband, son, brother and friend. He dedicated his life to his family and profession. He was incredibly strong and we always turned to him for support, as he was a shining light of guidance.
“He was compassionate, humble and loyal. He had always put his family and friends before himself and was extremely giving. He would always look for the slightest of excuses to help those in need.
“His hard-working nature and charming personality allowed him to make life even more enjoyable. We strive to achieve the greatness that was my dad and fulfil the dreams he has left behind. Miss you, Dad!”.
Julius Sana, 40
Occupation: Healthcare support worker
Place of work: Private hospitals
Date of death: 26 April 2020
Sana, 40, had fallen ill with Covid-19 while working at a private hospital treating people with neurodegenerative diseases in Newport. The married father of two died after suffering a cardiac arrest at the city’s Royal Gwent hospital where he had been on a ventilator for 18 days, the first of which was his daughter’s fifth birthday.
Maria Victoria Prado
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Elvy Court care home in Sittingbourne, Kent
Date of death: Unknown
Prado was known to friends and colleagues as Vicky and had worked for the NHS and private sectors for more than a decade. A crowdfunding page set up for her reads: “She was a hardworking nurse always willing to go extra miles to help. Vicky recently worked in a nursing home with positive cases of the Covid-19. She had isolated herself due to her high vulnerability in catching the cruel virus.” She is reported to have had asthma.
Sharad Bhatt
Occupation: Central booking team
Place of work: St Albans City hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Bhatt worked in the central booking team for outpatients’ appointments, before contracting the virus. The trust confirmed he had been working there since 2017.
In memory of Bhatt, the trust said: “He was funny and always willing to help and ready for a challenge. He was committed to his position and well-liked by all the team.”
Stephanie Wilcocks
Occupation: Retired matron
Place of work: Watford general hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Wilcocks worked as a matron and ward sister at both Watford and St Albans hospitals before retiring in 2005. The trust honoured the former employee after she died, saying she was a nursing mentor, a Girl Guide leader and a lay minister.
Karen Hutton, 58
Occupation: Care home nurse
Place of work: Lochleven Care Home
Date of death: 28 April 2020
Hutton died at home in the town of Carnoustie, Angus, after testing positive for Covid-19. She was employed as a staff nurse in the dementia unit at Lochleven Care Home in Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
Andrew Chalmers-Gall, manager of Lochleven Care Home, said: “Karen was a tenacious advocate for her residents and she always put their needs first.
“She was extremely excited about the recent birth of her granddaughter.
“She was a much-loved friend and colleague, and she’ll be missed terribly by everyone at Lochleven.”
William Brodie
Occupation: Operational estates
Place of work: Glasgow Royal infirmary
Date of death: 27 April 2020
Brodie, affectionately known as Willie, worked at the Glasgow Royal infirmary in the operational estates department before he died. He was a key worker with NHS Scotland at Glasgow Royal infirmary within the operational estates department.
Jermaine Wright, 45
Occupation: Pharmacy technician
Place of work: Hammersmith hospital
Date of death: 27 April 2020
Wright was a senior pharmacy technician in the aseptic unit at Hammersmith hospital. He joined the trust’s pharmacy team in March 2015, after many years working at the Royal Brompton and, prior to that, Great Ormond Street hospital. He was well known to his team and staff across the trust for his expertise, precision, kindness and pride in his work.
The trust’s chief pharmacist, Ann Mounsey, said: “Jermaine had been part of the Imperial pharmacy family since March 2015, having previously worked at the Royal Brompton for some 14 years and previous to that at Great Ormond Street hospital. Jermaine was an inpatient at the Brompton when he died, and we know that the team there share our grief.
”It is difficult not to fall into cliches when talking about Jermaine, he was kind, thoughtful, generous and always up for a laugh. Football however was Jermaine’s absolute passion and, outside of work, he was an essential part of amateur football at Hackney Marshes for over 20 years through his role as both referee and numerous other roles including vice-chairman, and fixtures and result secretary.
“His loss is felt keenly there and we are grateful to the members of that community who have contacted us to offer friendship and support. In addition, we have received lovely messages of support from many other pharmacy departments in north-west London and further afield as well as from the wider Imperial trust.”
Anujkumar Kuttikkottu Pavithran
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Boston’s Pilgrim hospital
Date of death: 27 April 2020
Health bosses confirmed Pavithran, known as Kumar to his colleagues, died on 27 April. Andrew Morgan, the chief executive of the United Lincolnshire hospital NHS trust, said: “He (Kumar) was a very well-liked, professional, respected member of the team and will be greatly missed.
We are all sending our heartfelt condolences to Kumar’s family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.”
More than £13,000 has been fundraised by friends and family of Kumar on Facebook.
Jodon Gait, 46
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Worcestershire Royal hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Gait had worked in care homes for 15 years before joining the Medical Short Stay unit at Worcestershire Royal hospital a year ago.
He was described a “much-loved member of our nursing team” by Matthew Hopkins, the chief executive of Worcestershire acute hospitals NHS trust.
Hopkins added: “Colleagues who worked most closely with him describe Jodon as a dedicated, passionate, caring colleague; a quirky character who always put patients at the centre of everything he did, delivering fantastic quality of care to his patients and who had a great sense of humour who will be massively missed by all of the team.”
Jane Mary Jongwe
Occupation: Senior nurse
Place of work: Herondale and Kingfisher House
Date of death: 26 April 2020
Jongwe was a senior nurse at the care home Herondale and Kingfisher House in Birmingham. Jongwe had migrated to the UK from Zimbabwe and attended the Zimbabwe Anglican Church.
Ken Lambatan, 34
Occupation: Specialist cardiology research nurse
Place of work: St George’s university hospitals NHS foundation trust
Date of death: 27 April 2020
Lambatan was described as fit and active but reportedly died after developing hypercoagulation as a complication to Covid-19. A friend of the family, Therese Hona, said on Twitter: “His family is immensely heartbroken. Please honour him by staying at home.”
Eileen Landers
Occupation: Cleaning team member
Place of work: University hospitals of Derby and Burton
Date of death: 26 April 2020
Landers passed away at Queen’s Hospital Burton from Covid-19. She had worked at the trust since 2004 and was a dedicated and popular member of the team.
Gavin Boyle, the chief executive at University hospitals of Derby and Burton said: “Eileen worked in many departments and wards across the hospital, most recently in the discharge lounge, and was known for her high standards, which colleagues and the nursing team say were second to none.
“During her time here she was known for her absolute dedication to her role and her dedication to coming to clean the hospital and protect patients.
“The importance of the role Eileen and her colleagues perform simply cannot be overstated. Eileen will be sadly missed by the whole UHDB family, especially by the domestic teams that worked closely with her for those many years. Our thoughts and condolences are with Eileen’s family today.”
Fiona Anderson
Occupation: Community nurse
Place of work: Grindon Lane primary care centre
Date of death: 26 April 2020
Anderson died after testing positive for Covid-19. Those who knew Fiona said she “devoted her life to helping others”. She joined South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS foundation trust in 2007, working as a staff nurse at Sunderland royal hospital and South Tyneside district hospital before joining the community as a staff nurse in 2019.
She worked at Grindon Lane primary care centre, where colleagues described her as “a passionate and highly committed nurse who cared for thousands of patients in both Sunderland and South Tyneside”.
Fiona’s sister Sarah Anderson said: “We are incredibly proud of Fiona. She died doing what she loved, working for the NHS and caring for those in need. Always in our hearts and never forgotten.”
A spokesperson for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS foundation trust said they were offering support to Fiona’s family.
Adekunle Enitan, 55
Occupation: Intensive care nurse
Place of work: William Harvey hospital, Ashford, Kent
Date of death: 24 April 2020
Enitan had been working as an agency nurse in ITU for five years. The father of two, known to his colleagues as Ade, has been remembered by East Kent hospitals foundation trust as a “kind and caring nurse, and a much-respected colleague”.
His wife, Temitayo, son Martin and daughter Divine, told Kent Live: “Adekunle was a great father and husband who cared deeply for us as well as others around him.
“We are all very thankful for the memories that we shared with him. He is now gone but he will never be forgotten and his spirit will always be beside us.”
Ibilola Mary Aladejana
Occupation: Bank staff
Place of work: University College London hospital
Date of death: 4 April 2020
Aladejana died due to complications from Covid-19. A crowdfunding page, set up for her by her husband, Ayodele Aladejana, reads: “She was so full of life and very lively. She loved helping people, loved her family, and more importantly, she loved GOD. Indeed, you fought the good fight of faith until your final breath on earth.”
She leaves her husband and three children aged 16, nine, and four.
Janice Glassey, 66
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Bridgewater community healthcare NHS foundation trust
Date of death: 24 April 2020
Glassey worked in the out-of-hours district nursing service for Bridgewater community healthcare NHS foundation trust in Halton, Cheshire.
The chief executive of the trust, Colin Scales, said: “I am extremely saddened to confirm that our colleague Janice Glassey tragically passed away on 24 April 2020 after testing positive for coronavirus.
“Janice was 66 and was a healthcare assistant in our out-of-hours district nursing service, where she had worked for 14 years, providing care and compassion to many Halton patients and families.
“She was a much-loved and valued colleague and friend.
“On behalf of everyone at Bridgewater, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Janice’s family, friends and loved ones at this most difficult time.”
Larni Zuniga, 53
Occupation: Care home nurse
Place of work: Surrey Hills care home
Date of death: 24 April 2020
Zuniga worked at CHD Living’s Surrey Hills care home near his home at Godalming in Surrey. The medic, originally from the Philippines, was granted British citizenship in February. He contracted the infection two weeks ago.
Andy Costa
Occupation: Ward administrator
Place of work: Camden & Islington NHS foundation trust
Date of death: Unknown
Costa was described by colleagues as “a highly respected, conscientious and long-serving colleague who had worked at Highgate Mental Health Centre since it opened 15 years ago”. Before then, he worked on the Elizabeth Torrance ward in the nearby Waterlow unit.
The trust said: “Andy’s 26 years of diligence and loyalty to Camden and Islington NHS foundation trust were honoured with a long service award only last summer at a special tea party at the Irish Centre in Camden. Andy will be very much missed by us all, especially by his many colleagues and friends in the ward, administration and domestic staff areas at Highgate Mental Health Centre. Our deepest sympathies go to his family and friends.”
Dr Vishna Rasiah
Occupation: Consultant neonatologist
Place of work: Birmingham women’s hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Rasiah, known to his friends as Vish, was a consultant neonatologist and was highly regarded across the Midlands through his role as clinical lead for the regional neonatal network.
Sarah-Jane Marsh, the chief executive of Birmingham women’s and children’s NHS foundation trust, said: “Vish was an amazing doctor, leader, colleague and friend passionate about the care of babies and their families. Losing him in such a cruel and unfair way will be too much to bear for many of us, in particular anyone involved in neonatal care, and of course his beautiful wife and daughter.
“As our tears flow, we must always remember the values that Vish stood for, and hold his vision, courage and compassion in our hearts. God bless you Vish, and may you rest in peace.”
Dr Fiona Reynolds, the trust’s medical director, said: “It’s heartbreaking that we have lost someone as talented, dedicated and respected as Vish. His loss will not only be felt by his friends and colleagues at our hospital, but by many across the Midlands who worked alongside him for so long.
“Vish touched the lives of many families during his time as a neonatal consultant in Birmingham, and will be sadly missed.”
Vish was a proud husband and father. His wife, Liza, said: “We’re devastated at losing our beloved Vish. He was such a loving husband and father to our beautiful daughter Katelyn, and much-loved son and brother to our family in Malaysia and Trinidad. His whole family meant the world to him, and he absolutely doted on Katelyn.
“Vish loved his work; to him it was so much more than a job and his colleagues are part of our family too. He treated every patient and family he cared for as his own; I couldn’t have been prouder of him.
“I would like to thank the staff at Worcestershire Royal hospital for the kindness, compassion and the care that they have provided to us over an incredibly difficult past few weeks.”
Thomas Oelmann
Occupation: Doctor
Place of work: DHU HealthCare
Date of death: 23 April 2020
Thomas Oelmann, 57, was tested for Covid-19 while he was being treated for a dissecting aortic aneurysm at Glenfield hospital. The out-of-hours doctor leaves behind partner Nenita and five brothers and sisters.
An email sent to his DHU colleagues said that co-workers would miss the “delightful chocolates from his travels abroad” and that he approached his role with “good humour”.
It read: “Whenever Thomas was on duty everyone would know it. He was a big personality and always willing to give his bear hugs.”
Tony Kabia, 58
Occupation: Security team
Place of work: Manchester Royal infirmary
Date of death: 23 April 2020
Kabia was recently nominated for an excellence award by Manchester University NHS Foundation trust, and his family said he had bought a new suit and shoes in preparation for the ceremony.
Lillian Nabuduwa, Tony’s stepdaughter, told the Manchester Evening News: “He was a father, he was a husband, he was a good man.He worked for Kingdom Security and was at the MRI for a long time.
“Everyone there loved him, the trust loved him. Everyone at the MFT knew about him.”
Melonie Mitchell
Occupation: 111 worker
Place of work: London ambulance service
Date of death: Unknown
Mitchell’s death was confirmed by the London ambulance service, where she worked. Its chief executive, Garrett Emmerson, said: “It is with great sadness I confirm the death of Melonie Mitchell, a member of our NHS 111 team.
“Our condolences are with her family at this sad time. Melonie will be greatly missed by her friends and colleagues across the service.”
George Nii Ajedu Aryiku, 68
Occupation: Mental health nurse
Place of work: Cygnet hospital, Woking
Date of death: 22 April 2020
George Aryiku spent the past 10 years working at Cygnet hospital in Woking. He migrated to the UK from Ghana in the 1970s.
His professional career saw him register as a mental health nurse in 1979 and as a lecturer and practice educator in 1989. He spent the first 25 years of nursing with the NHS between Colchester Essex, Sutton Surrey, Bromley, Kent before moving to his last employer in Woking.
A tribute site has been created for the 68-year-old, who was fondly known by colleagues as “Uncle George”. His daughter Charlene said: “It is such a shock to lose him this way. My darling Dad, thank you for everything.”
His brother, Japhet, described his best friend as being “just a centimetre below the angels in heaven”.
Mahadaye Jagroop
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Heartlands hospital
Date of death: 22 April 2020
Mahadaye Jagroop, known as Mary, sadly died in Heartlands hospital, where she worked.
Lisa Stalley-Green, chief nurse at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS foundation trust, said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of one of our highly valued colleagues, Mahadaye Jagroop – known to us as Mary – on 22 April, at Heartlands hospital.
“Mary was a respected and loved member of our team and touched the lives of many in her distinguished career as a nurse. This was demonstrated by the beautiful and heartfelt tribute by colleagues at Heartlands hospital this morning.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mary’s family, friends and colleagues at this sad time.”
Angie Cunningham
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: NHS Borders
Date of death: 22 April 2020
Family and colleagues have paid tribute to a nurse and “much-loved wife, mother, sister, granny and great-granny” who has died after contracting coronavirus.
Angie had provided “amazing care” as a nurse for 30 years before she died at Borders General hospital on Wednesday, NHS Borders said.
In a joint statement with the trust’s chief executive, Ralph Roberts, Cunningham’s family said: “Angie was a much-loved wife, mother, sister, granny and great-granny, as well as a friend to many more. Angie worked in NHS Borders for over 30 years and during this time was a much-respected and valued colleague within the hospital, providing amazing care to patients.
“She was very proud to be a nurse alongside her love for her family. We ask that you respect the privacy of all involved at this time.”
Brigitte Anguma Eteli, 54
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Barnet hospital
Date of death: 21 April 2020
Eteli worked as an NHS nurse and died after contracting Covid-19. A crowdfunder page set up for her reads: “Let’s all help her husband, Mamona Makiadi, and his family in their time of need. We are hoping to raise £10,500 to cover the funeral costs and get Mamona and his family through this difficult time.”
Anguma had worked as an NHS nurse in Barnet hospital for the past five years. She was described as “a lively person who loved her work, was an avid churchgoer and was a true family woman”. She leaves behind her husband, Mamona, their 21-year-old son, Aser, and 15-year-old daughter, Stephanie.
Felicity Siyachitema, 51
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: 21 April 2020
Siyachitema died of Covid-19 at Southend hospital in London. A spokesperson for the family, Frederick Siyachitema, said: “A dark cloud has befallen our family. Fellie passed away in a London hospital where she was admitted.
“We are in pain as a family. She was a strong woman, who was always supportive of her family. She was a helpful person, a hard worker, a mother and a dedicated nurse.”
Frederick said his sister came to the UK from Zimbabwe in 2002. “What is more painful is that we cannot attend the burial of our sister due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic,” he said.
“Our prayer is that after the pandemic, we will then be able to go to the UK and see her place of final rest. It is a very difficult situation for the whole family.”
Katy Davis, 38
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: University hospital Southampton
Date of death: 21 April 2020
Davis had tested positive for coronavirus on admission to hospital. She had an underlying health condition and had been unwell for some time before her admission. She died on the evening of Tuesday 21 April at Southampton general hospital.
Paula Head, the chief executive at UHS, said: “I want to pay tribute to Katy who sadly passed away on Tuesday. Katy has been described by her colleagues where she worked in child health as a nurse people would aspire to be like and that nursing was more than just a job to her.
“On behalf of everyone here at UHS, including our patients and the communities we serve, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to her family.”
Medhat Atalla
Occupation: Consultant geriatrician
Place of work: Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Date of death: 21 April 2020
Atalla was described as “hugely popular” and a “respected colleague”. He became a full-time member of the hospital’s trust in 2014, but had worked with elderly patients in the north of England since the early 2000s.
In a joint statement, Dr Tim Noble, medical director, and Richard Parker OBE, chief executive at Doncaster and Bassetlaw teaching hospitals, said: “A hugely popular and respected colleague, Dr Atalla was a very special human being who practised medicine across three continents throughout his career, affecting the lives of so many in such a positive way. He was a truly gentle gentleman and he will be hugely missed by us all.
“We would also like to take a moment to thank colleagues who cared for Medhat during his illness, and who did all they could to care for and support him as he bravely battled Covid-19.
“As a trust, we share our deepest sympathies with Dr Atalla’s brother and sister, and loved ones in Egypt, and we ask that the media respect their wishes during this extremely challenging time.”
Sharon Bamford
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Singleton hospital
Date of death: 21 April 2020
Bamford, a healthcare assistant at Singleton hospital in Swansea, died 21 April 2020. Her husband, Malcolm, also died recently from coronavirus. Both were being treated in the intensive care unit at Swansea’s Morriston hospital.
Jan Worthing, director of Singleton hospital said: “Sharon was highly thought of by all the patients who have used the services, and loved by her colleagues and friends within the team.
“Sharon’s sad death will leave a massive void within the team and within the Singleton family.
“Our thoughts and condolences are obviously with their sons Craig and Chris at this devastating time, with the loss of both Sharon and Malcolm. We offer our most sincere condolences to Sharon’s family, friends and colleagues at this extremely sad time.”
Ann Shepherd, 80
Occupation: Counsellor
Place of work: Derbyshire healthcare NHS foundation
Date of death: Unknown
Shepherd had worked in mental health services across Derbyshire for the last 26 years and lived in Leicester. She had underlying health conditions and contracted Covid-19. She died in hospital.
Ifti Majid, the chief executive of Derbyshire healthcare NHS foundation trust, said: “Ann was a wonderful colleague, held in very high esteem by all she worked with. She was truly devoted to her work and her patients and was inspirational in her field.
“She was also a phenomenal character, full of colour and sparkle.
“Ann always made time for members of her team. I understand that even after her provisional diagnosis of Covid-19, Ann would call to check if colleagues were OK and if they needed any support.
“Ann was a true professional, who touched the lives of many. She made a tremendous difference to a lot of people’s lives and she was highly respected by patients and colleagues alike.”
Ann’s colleagues at Moir medical centre have also expressed how valued Ann was as a member of their team, saying: “The team at Moir medical centre are deeply saddened by the loss of Ann. Based at the Moir medical centre for over 26 years, Ann was an integral and highly regarded member of our team.
“Ann was more than a work colleague. Her support for other members of the practice team and her contribution to life within the practice was outstanding. She could always be relied upon for honest and compassionate advice for patients and staff.
“She had a huge impact on her patients who would speak favourably of their treatment with her for years afterwards. Her enthusiasm for her work was an inspiration to all. She will be sincerely missed.”
Ian Reynolds
Occupation: Paramedic
Place of work: London ambulance service
Date of death: Unknown
Reynolds was a paramedic at New Addington. He worked for the service for 32 years and was still as active as ever until falling ill with Covid-19 in March.
The London ambulance service said: “A wise, experienced and popular man, he had time for everybody and could relate to his colleagues, members and patients alike – regardless of their background or identity – with an ease that endeared him to everyone he came across.
“He will be deeply missed by his union comrades, his Croydon ambulance family, his boys Jack and Ben (of whom he was immeasurably proud) and his wife, Sian, whom he loved with all his heart.”
Dawn Marshall
Occupation: Support time recovery worker
Place of work: Hallam Street hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Marshall died from complications caused by Covid-19. Black Country Healthcare said she was “a valued member” of their organisation for almost 10 years, working at Hallam Street hospital, Macarthur Centre, and more recently as a support time recovery worker based at Quayside House in Oldbury.
“She was always very helpful and supportive to her colleagues and was able to build a real rapport with the service users she worked with. She had an incredible bubbly character and was always breaking out in song,” a statement on the trust’s website read.
”Whenever Dawn took time to reflect on her career within the NHS, she always said that making sure her patients knew there was a life to live beyond their mental health was her priority.
“She will be sorely missed but fondly remembered by all who knew her.”
They added: “We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Dawn’s family and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.”
Julie Penfold, 53
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Wirral university teaching hospital NHS foundation trust
Date of death: Unknown
Penfold was admitted to Arrowe Park hospital, where she worked as a healthcare assistant and then a nurse for many years, after contracting coronavirus.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Wirral University teaching hospital NHS foundation trust said:
“Heartfelt tributes have been paid to WUTH staff nurse, Julie Anna (Julie) Penfold, who sadly passed away as a result of Covid-19.”
Kirsty Jones, 41
Occupation: Healthcare support worker
Place of work: NHS Lanarkshire
Date of death: 20 April 2020
Jones took up a post with NHS Lanarkshire straight from school at 17. The mother-of-two spent much of her career working with older patients at University hospital Wishaw, and was loved “due to her bubbly character”.
She recently took up a new role helping on the frontline, at an assessment centre in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. After contracting Covid-19, Jones died on 20 April.
Miharajiya Mohideen
Occupation: Adult care nurse
Place of work: Newham general hospital
Date of death: 20 April 2020
Mohideen died on the evening of 20 April. She had been working at Newham general hospital as an adult care nurse for several years. After contracting Covid-19 she was admitted to King George hospital and transferred to ITU. She was there for about 13 days before her death.
Her son has set up a crowdfunder to raise £10,000 for water wells to be built in her memory in either in Sierra Leone or Malawi. Javed Mohideen said: “May Allah protect us and our families from this disease and give us the ability to prepare for our death.”
Graham Thorne, 58
Occupation: Maintenance worker
Place of work: Bedford hospital
Date of death: 20 April 2020
Thorne had been treated in the hospital’s intensive care unit for over a fortnight. He was a member of the estates and maintenance team at Bedford hospital and continued working as the outbreak began, before falling ill at the end of March.
The hospital’s chief executive, David Carter, said: “Graham was a quiet and friendly member of the team who was incredibly diligent at his work and who will be greatly missed.
“We are saddened to lose another much-loved member of the Bedfordshire hospitals family and our thoughts and condolences are with Graham’s family and colleagues at this incredibly sad time. We ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this time.”
Charlie Goodwin, 61
Occupation: Paramedic
Place of work: First 4 Care
Date of death: 20 April 2020
Goodwin worked as an ambulance driver for First 4 Care for more than 20 years. He tested positive for the covid-19 virus and was admitted to intensive care, but sadly passed away after 11 “extremely difficult” days on April 20.
Goodwin leaves behind his wife, Julie, 55, and three children, Daniel, 25, Catherine, 26 and Sarah, 32.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, Julie Goodwin, of Bilsthorpe, said they had been married for 26 years.
“He was very kind and had an extra special relationship with his son because he supported Manchester City and his son supported Manchester United, which led to some interesting moments in the house,” she said.
“He was totally dedicated to his job. He loved the job and he wanted to get straight out there [during the pandemic].”
Grant Maganga
Occupation: Mental health nurse
Place of work: Pennine Care NHS foundation trust
Date of death: 20 April 2020
Maganga qualified as a mental health nurse in 2009 and had worked at Hurst Place, a 15-bed step-down rehabilitation unit for men with severe mental illness and complex needs, since it opened 10 years ago.
Pennine Care NHS foundation trust said: “We’re devastated about the death of our friend and colleague, Grant Maganga, who sadly died from coronavirus.”
Yusuf Patel
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Woodgrange NHS medical practice
Date of death: 20 April 2020
Patel was a GP partner and founder of the Woodgrange NHS medical practice in Forest Gate, east London, and had been treated at Queen’s hospital in Romford.
His practice described the “immeasurable pain” of losing their colleague. In a statement, it said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we have to inform you of the sad loss of Dr Yusuf Ismail Patel, GP principal and founder of Woodgrange NHS medical practice.
“After a valiant struggle with Covid, Dr Patel finally succumbed to his illness on Monday 20 April.
“This is a tragic loss to all his family, friends, colleagues and patients. The pain is immeasurable. He has touched and enriched many lives and we miss him dearly.”
Sadeq Elhowsh, 58
Occupation: Consultant orthopaedic surgeon
Place of work: St Helens and Knowsley teaching hospitals NHS trust
Date of death: 20 April 2020
Elhowsh, a long-serving orthopaedic surgeon with St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, died at Whiston hospital. He had tested positive for coronavirus.
He is described as a loving husband and father to four sons who had dedicated over 17 years to the trust during his NHS career.
His family said: “Sadeq was a wonderful husband, as well as a devoted father, and he dearly loved his family. We cannot put into words the depth of our loss. He loved his work and was dedicated to supporting his patients and his colleagues. As a family we are extremely appreciative for all the kind words and messages we have received. We would like to take this time to grieve in private.”
Ravi Gudena, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, said: “Nothing was ever too much trouble for Sadeq, he was always there to help anyone and was happy to do whatever was needed to help his colleagues and patients.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by his colleagues at the trust to support his family.
Craig Wakeham
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Cerne Abbas surgery
Date of death: Unknown
Married father-of-two Dr Craig Wakeham was a doctor at the Cerne Abbas surgery in Dorset for three decades.
His colleagues at the surgery said: “We are very saddened to inform our patients that Dr Wakeham died at the weekend. He had been fighting the coronavirus in Dorset County hospital for many days.
“His industry and innovation led our practice for 30 years.
“He was also a leading light in both the clinical commissioning group and local medical committee, as well as a devoted husband and father to his two boys.
“His legacy lives on in our patients who he cared for diligently, and in the good name he built for our surgery.”
Patricia Miller, the chief executive of Dorset County hospital, where he died, said: “Craig was a fantastic GP, always professional, kind and dedicated. Dorset will be poorer without him.”
Manjeet Singh Riyat
Occupation: Emergency consultant
Place of work: Royal Derby hospital
Date of death: 20 April 2020
Riyat has been described as “the father of the current emergency department” by his colleagues.
In a tribute, speaking on behalf of the emergency department team at Royal Derby hospital, consultant Susie Hewitt said: “Manjeet was enormously valued and much loved as a colleague, supervisor and mentor as well as for his wise counsel and discreet support in tough times.
“For many, Manjeet was considered the father of the current emergency department in Derby and many more will reflect on how his inspiration has shaped their own careers.”
Gerallt Davies
Occupation: Paramedic
Place of work: Welsh Ambulance Service
Date of death: 20 April 2020
Davies died after contracting Covid-19, the Welsh Ambulance Service said. Jason Killens, chief executive at the trust, said: “Today, Monday 20 April 2020, the Welsh Ambulance Service lost its first colleague to Covid-19.
“Gerallt Davies MBE was a paramedic at Cwmbwrla station in Swansea and his passing is a devastating blow for us all.
“Gerallt, who joined the service in 1994, was not just a valued member of our team but of St John Cymru Wales, where he was national operations officer, a role for which he was awarded an MBE in 2019 for his services to first aid provision in Wales.
“Gerallt’s loss will be sorely felt by everyone here, and we extend our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to his family.
“Our focus now is on supporting Gerallt’s family and bereaved colleagues at this very difficult time.”
Chrissie Emerson
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Queen Elizabeth hospital, King’s Lynn
Date of death: Unknown
Emerson was described as a “much loved wife to Michael and cherished mother and grandmother” in a joint statement released by Caroline Shaw and Prof Steve Barnett, the hospital’s chief executive and chairman respectively.
They added: “Everyone at QEH is today coming to terms with the devastating news that one of our own healthcare assistants has died after testing positive for Covid-19. The whole family at QEH is deeply saddened at losing Chrissie Emerson, who was such a valued colleague.
“We have been in touch with Chrissie’s family to extend our condolences on behalf of everyone at QEH and to offer appropriate support. We have informed our staff about this upsetting news and offered support to those who knew and worked closely with Chrissie.
“We have a range of support and counselling services available to our staff to support them during this incredibly difficult time, during which we continue to focus on delivering safe care to our patients and maximising support for our staff who are working in conditions that are difficult and challenging for everyone.”
Patrick McManus, 60
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: County hospital, Stafford
Date of death: Unknown
McManus, originally from Ireland, had worked in Stafford for about 10 years, after a spell at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary in Stoke.
Tracy Bullock, the chief executive of University hospitals North Midlands NHS trust, which runs County hospital, wrote in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of staff has passed away due to Covid-19.
“Patrick McManus was an extremely well-liked and valued member of the nursing team at County hospital, Stafford. He had been a nurse for more than 40 years and had worked at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary prior to working in Stafford, where he had been for about 10 years.
“He was a lovable character and brought kindness and compassion to all his patients, which was acknowledged by the number of compliments and thank-you messages he received.”
Keith Dunnington, 54
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Queen Elizabeth hospital
Date of death: 19 April 2020
Dunnington, from South Shields, died on 19 April. He worked as an agency nurse and most recently on the frontline of ward 12 at the Queen Elizabeth hospital.
In a message sent to staff, Yvonne Ormston, chief executive of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation trust, said: “It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Keith Dunnington. Keith was a long-serving staff nurse who worked on medical, surgical and elderly wards here at Gateshead Health NHS FT.
“Keith was a popular and hard-working member of our fantastic nursing team. He will be very missed by his coworkers here at the trust and by the patients he cared for.
“Keith most recently worked on ward 12, where his colleagues remember him very fondly. He was known for always having a positive outlook which others found really encouraging and for taking time to check-in with colleagues.
“On Sundays he put particular importance on everyone having a proper dinner and often arranged food for everyone. When not at work he volunteered at soup kitchens and spent time with his family, who he spoke so highly about.
“My thoughts are with Keith’s family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly sad and difficult time.”
Grace Kungwengwe
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: University hospital Lewisham
Date of death: 19 April 2020
Kungwengwe was a dedicated nurse who loved her job. Tendai Kungwengwe, who has initiated a fundraising appeal for her said: “It is with greatest sadness that we confirm the death of our much-loved sister, mother, aunty, grandmother, colleague and friend Grace Kungwengwe who succumbed to Covid-19 on Sunday 19 April 2020 at Lewisham hospital where she worked as a frontline staff.
“Grace was a dedicated NHS worker who loved her job and was actively working until she tested positive of Covid-19.”
Margaret Tapley, 84
Occupation: Auxiliary nurse
Place of work: Whitney community hospital
Date of death: 19 April 2020
Tapley worked as a healthcare assistant at Witney community hospital in Oxfordshire. Her granddaughter Hannah Tapley paid tribute to her on Facebook, calling her the “most hardworking, caring and perfect woman out there”.
Oxford Health NHS foundation trust said Tapley died in hospital in Swindon. The trust said she had worked her last shift on 10 April, adding: “Despite her advancing years, Margaret was determined to carry on caring and being part of her hospital family.”
Alice Sarupinda
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Walsall area
Date of death: Unknown
Sarupinda, originally from Zimbabwe, was a nurse in Walsall, West Midlands. Her fellow members of the United Methodist church took to social media on Friday to express their condolences following her death.
Jenny Esson, 45
Occupation: Training and development coordinator in the Recovery College
Place of work: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Date of death: 17 April 2020
Esson, aged 45, died after testing positive for coronavirus. She had underlying health conditions, became unwell whilst working from home, before sadly passing away on 17 April 2020.
Tracy Dowling, Chief Executive at CPFT, said: “It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the saddest news that our much-loved colleague, Jenny Esson, training and development coordinator in the Recovery College, passed away last Friday.
“Jenny was one of the first people I met when I joined the trust and I was always struck by her energy, charisma and shining smile.
“She loved CPFT and through her work in the Recovery College and in peer support she made a tremendous difference to so many people’s lives. We will truly miss her.
“We send our sincere condolences to Jen’s family. They are in our thoughts and our prayers at this most difficult time.”
Jenny Esson’s family said: “Jenny was always at the very heart of our family. She was charismatic, loving, passionate, outrageously funny and loved to laugh. She was fiercely protective of us and always proud to provide for us, look after us. She was happiest at home and was passionate and proud of her work. If Jenny saw something she felt was wrong she wouldn’t just moan about it.
Khulisani Nkala, 46
Occupation: Mental health nurse
Place of work: Leeds and York NHS partnership foundation trust
Date of death: 17 April
Nkala was described by colleagues as someone who “always put the patient first” and had a smile that “lit up” a room. The trust where he worked provides mental health and learning disability services in Leeds and specialist services across Yorkshire.
The trust’s chief executive, Dr Sara Munro, said she also hoped he would be the last staff member the trust would lose to the disease.
“Khuli was a well-respected and selfless professional nurse, who always put the patient first, and will be greatly missed by his colleagues,” Dr Munro said.
Vivek Sharma
Occupation: Occupational therapist
Place of work: Medway community healthcare
Date of death: 17 April 2020
Sharma had been working for Medway community healthcare when he tested positive for Covid-19. James Devine, chief executive of Medway foundation trust, which runs Medway Maritime hospital, where Sharma also used to work, announced the death.
In a message to staff, he said: “I am sad to announce that Vivek Sharma, a former Medway staff member, died yesterday after testing positive for Covid-19.”
Sophie Fagan, 78
Occupation: Support worker
Place of work: Homerton university hospital, Hackney
Date of death: 19 April 2020
Fagan arrived from India in 1961 aged 16 to begin her nurse training. She was not on the frontline fighting coronavirus but worked at Homerton liaising with people in her role supporting carers. She had worked in healthcare in Hackney for more than 50 years.
Homerton university hospital NHS foundation trust said Fagan was “part of the healthcare fabric in Hackney”.
Ade Dickson
Occupation: Mental health nurse
Place of work: Barnet, Enfield and Haringey mental health trust
Date of death: Unknown
Dickson died due to coronavirus, with the trust saying he was “highly respected”. A spokesperson from Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust said: “We are very sad to confirm the loss of our colleague and friend Ade Dickson.
“Ade previously worked for our early intervention service in Haringey as a care coordinator. He later left the trust but worked for us in a number of roles through an agency. Most recently, Ade had been working in the Barnet Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team.
“Ade was a highly respected colleague who will be deeply missed by his family, friends, trust staff and patients. We ask that you please respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
Linda Clarke, 66
Occupation: Midwife
Place of work: Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
Date of death: 17 April 2020
Linda Clarke worked as a delivery suite coordinator at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. She had worked in the maternity service for 30 years, with trust chiefs saying she had “brought many new lives into the borough”.
In a statement, Silas Nicholls, chief executive at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS trust, said: “We can sadly confirm that a member of our staff, Linda Clarke, tragically passed away on April 17. Linda was 66 and worked in our maternity service for 30 years, bringing many new lives into our borough and caring for expectant mums in our community.”
Ruben Muñoz Jr
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: East Surrey hospital
Date of death: 17 April 2020
Ruben Muñoz Jr had worked for the NHS since 2010 and selflessly helped to look after patients with Covid-19.
A crowdfunder page set up for his family reads: “Not all of you might know him, but he was a very kind, funny and hardworking person. Patients always liked him. He was a good son, a good husband to his wife, and a good father for his two children.
“My fellow colleagues and I from Woodland ward decided to put up a fundraiser to assist his grieving family. We want to give back for the service and time he gave to the NHS.”
Simon Guest
Occupation: Radiographer
Place of work: Furness general hospital
Date of death: Unknown
Simon Guest died after being treated for the virus at the hospital’s intensive care unit. The chief executive of the trust which runs Furness general hospital said Guest would be “truly missed”.
Aaron Cummins, of the Morecambe Bay hospitals trust, said: “I know how respected Simon was, and how truly missed he will be. We are all devastated by the news, and determined to support Simon’s family and friends and ensure his memory will live on.”
Brian Mfula
Occupation: Lecturer in mental health nursing
Place of work: Swansea University
Date of death: 17 April 2020
Brian Mfula worked for Swansea University and was described by students as an “inspiring teacher”. Prof Ceri Phillips, head of the college of human and health sciences at Swansea, said the college had “been inundated with messages of condolence, all of which pay warm and heartfelt tribute to a dear friend and colleague”.
He added: “Students have described Brian as an inspiring teacher and role model who taught from the heart, and had a passion for mental health and nursing.
“Colleagues from across the college have made reference to his generous spirit, his warm personality and his highly infectious laugh, all of which made others feel good simply by being in his presence. His colleagues have also described him as a lovely man who will be sorely missed by themselves and his students.
“Brian was also recognised as a dedicated family man, and our thoughts and prayers are extended to his wife, Mercy, and children Kato, Nkweto, Thabo and Thandiwe, for their tragic loss.”
Gladys Mujajati, 46
Occupation: Mental health nurse
Place of work: Derbyshire healthcare NHS foundation trust
Date of death: Unknown
Gladys Mujajati, from Littleover in Derbyshire, died in hospital earlier this week, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS trust said.
The 46-year-old had an underlying health condition “and had stepped away from frontline duties in recent weeks”, a spokesman added. Ifti Majid, the trust’s chief executive, said staff were “devastated by her loss”.
Jenelyn Carter, 41
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Morriston hospital
Date of death: unknown
Jenelyn Carter was born in the Philippines and lived in south Wales. She was treated by her own colleagues after being admitted for the virus but died. Swansea Bay University health board announced her death saying she was “well loved” by patients and colleagues.
A spokeswoman said: “We are deeply saddened to report that one of our healthcare assistants who was being treated for Covid-19 has died.
“Jenelyn Carter worked on the admissions ward at Morriston hospital and was well loved by all her colleagues and patients.”
Josephine Matseke Manini Peter, 56
Occupation: Locum nurse
Place of Work: Southport hospital NHS trust
Date of death: 18 April 2020
Peter was born and raised in South Africa. She was a member of the South African Nursing Council and later of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
She graduated in 1998 as a professional nurse in South Africa and got a job in the UK in 2002 at Princess Margaret hospital in Windsor. She later moved to London and worked for Care UK and then joined the Hillingdon NHS trust, majoring in gynaecology and obstetrics. She later worked as a locum nurse via an agency. Her last job was at Southport hospital NHS trust.
The morning of her death her husband, Thabo, received a telephone call from the intensive care registrar informing him that mechanical ventilation was no longer benefiting her. She leaves behind her husband and two children, Bongani and Buhle, who have both returned to live in South Africa. She also has a granddaughter, five sisters and one brother.
Michael Allieu, 55
Occupation: Staff nurse
Place of work: Homerton University hospital
Date of death: 18 April 2020
Michael Allieu died at Homerton university hospital in Hackney, London, where he had worked as a staff nurse since 2007. The trust’s chief executive, Tracey Fletcher, said: “Michael was a vibrant, larger-than-life character on our acute care unit, and was well known and very well liked throughout the hospital. He will be greatly missed by all his colleagues both in the ACU [acute care unit] and the wider Homerton hospital community. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family at this sad time.”
Nick Joseph
Occupation: Hospital porter
Place of work: Whittington hospital
Date of death: unknown
Nick Joseph was given the nickname “the general” by colleagues at the Whittington hospital in north London where he had worked for 17 years.
Ate Wilma Banaag
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Watford general hospital
Date of death: unknown
Ate Wilma Banaag came to the UK on 21 January 2001 and had worked in Watford general hospital at Croxley ward since then. She spent her last days working in a Covid-19 ward where she became infected.
A crowdfunder page set up for her reads: “She is a devoted mother of three and a loving wife to Kuya Jun. Everything that is raised in this fund will help with the cost of her cremation service and financial support to her family. We will miss your smile Ate, Rest in Peace.”
Andy Collier
Occupation: Nurse practitioner
Place of work: Hollins Park hospital
Date of death: 15 April 2020
Andy Collier, who worked at Hollins Park hospital in Warrington, died after testing positive for coronavirus. He became seriously ill on 31 March and was admitted to the Royal Albert Edward infirmary in Wigan, where he died with his wife, Carol, by his side.
Many knew him in his role as a union representative for Unite; a role of which he was very proud as it allowed him to support and stand up for other people in their times of difficulty.
Rob Kelly, the ward manager on the Marlowe unit, said: “Andy was all about putting other people first – whether that was patients on the ward or his colleagues across the trust. He was very down to earth, fair and selfless. I will remember him as a team player and someone who was passionate about bringing people together on our team development days to improve our environment for staff and patients.
“It’s been lovely to hear the reaction of our patients who commented that he was always approachable and helped them however he could. The team has raised a few virtual glasses to Andy and we will miss him massively.”
He was a father and ran The First and Last pub in Leigh with his wife. He played rugby for Wigan and later for Leigh, and played golf at Leigh golf club.
Simon Barber, chief executive at North West Boroughs Healthcare, said: “I would like to express my gratitude to Andy for all he did for our patients and staff. It is clear he was a very dedicated and compassionate man. All our thoughts are with Andy’s family at this time and we offer them our sincere condolences.”
Esther Akinsanya
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Date of death: 15 April 2020
Chief executive of the trust Ben Travis said it was “the darkest week since Lewisham and Greenwich NHS trust was formed seven years ago,” and announced a fundraising page had been set up in memory of “much-loved colleagues”.
Travis said in a statement on Tuesday: “Sadly, I can confirm that Esther Akinsanya and Grace Kungwengwe, two members of staff, have passed away.”
“Many colleagues will have worked with Esther and Grace, and our thoughts are with their families, loved ones and colleagues during this desperately sad time.
“We have set up a fundraising page to support the families of colleagues who have died.”
Rajesh Kalraiya, 70
Occupation: Consultant paediatrician
Place of work: North East London NHS trust
Date of death: 15 April 2020
Rajesh Kalraiya, a consultant paediatrician, was originally from Nagpur in India. His cousin, Arun Kalraiya, said: “He died at Queens Hospital, Romford, Essex and had worked at hospitals in Isle of Wight, Poole, Cumbria, Essex and the Midlands. He has left his legacy wherever he worked and was acknowledged as an extraordinary doctor. He was highly committed, hardworking, caring and passionate about his job and made a difference to the lives of his patients.”
One of his colleagues Dr Ewa Szynaka, a consultant paediatrician at Isle of Wight hospital, said: “It was a great privilege to have worked with Dr Rajesh Kalraiya I am filled with immense gratitude for his kindness and support to the staff and patients. He was wonderful doctor with a beautiful soul”.
He helped various charity organisations and recently donated a large sum of money to the centre for advance training and research in Cancer (ACTRECT) Khargar, in Mumbai, India. He did so in memory of his brother Dr Rajiv Kalraiya who was a senior research scientist at the Institute.
His cousin said: “He was a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, colleague and faithful friend. All will dearly miss him.”
Barry England
Occupation: Senior paramedic
Place of work: East of England ambulance service
Date of death: 17 April 2020
Barry England was a leading operations manager in Hemel Hempstead and described by the East of England ambulance service as “a hugely valued friend and colleague”.
A statement from the trust said: “We offer our sincere condolences to Barry’s family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time. The trust is offering its support to Barry’s family and we will not be making any further announcements at this stage.”
A statement issued on behalf of his family said: “Their hearts are broken at this sudden loss,” and that Barry was extremely proud to have worked for the ambulance service for over 33 years.
They thanked all the NHS staff who cared for Barry in hospital and former colleagues for their support.
Jane Murphy, 73
Occupation: Clinical support worker
Place of work: Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Date of death: Unknown
Jane Murphy worked at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for almost 30 years, first as a cleaner before she retrained as a clinical support worker. Tributes from colleagues hailed her as a mentor and lifelong friend.
Murphy had been placed on sick leave when the coronavirus outbreak emerged because of her age. Elaine Sibbald, a friend, said: “Jane would help anybody out, but would tell you if you were wrong. She had the biggest heart, and was always there if I needed her.
“As a friend she loved when you took her shopping. She loved life, being in her PJs sitting at the kitchen table watching TV. She was a star, and a big loss to everyone that met her.”
The family of a long-serving doctor who died after contracting coronavirus have paid tribute to him as an “honest, kind and generous man who was deeply respected”.
Kamlesh Kumar Masson, 78
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Locum work across Thurrock and Basildon
Date of death: 16 April 2020
Masson died on 16 April, aged 78, having worked in the NHS for 47 years. He founded Milton Road surgery in Grays, Essex, in 1985 and worked there until 2017, after which he did locum work across Thurrock and Basildon.
His family, who described him as someone who “would have wanted to practise medicine for many more years to come”, said he last worked on 12 March, adding that his career “came to an unexpected end last month, when he unfortunately contracted Covid-19”.
They described him as “an excellent clinician whose drive to constantly improve his clinical skills and knowledge with passion and enthusiasm will remain with us all as a reminder to always try to be the best”.
The family added: “Dr Masson was an honest, kind and generous man who was deeply respected by anyone who was privileged to cross paths with him. He was jovial, funny and kind, always wanting to make the best of any situation.”
He was well-known locally and recognised as a “dedicated, determined, positive individual who would always do his utmost to help in all endeavours”, they added.
The family thanked the staff at University College London hospital who “fought tirelessly” to try to save him.
Dr Anil Kallil, a fellow GP and chairman of NHS Thurrock CCG, said: “We were very sad to hear of the passing of Dr Masson. He was a well-respected and liked GP in Thurrock, with a significant contribution over the last 30 years in the borough caring for patients and providing support.
“Later he provided GP services in both Thurrock and Basildon. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr Masson for his commitment and passion and our condolences to his family for their loss.”
Dr Adegboyega Tayo, the chairman of NHS Basildon and Brentwood CCG, said: “In the latter part of his career Dr Masson has been a valued member of the team at the Murree Medical Practice and has been able to support patients in Basildon with his wisdom built over such a long and valued career of service in the NHS.
“He was much respected and a well-liked member of the primary care community. He will be missed by all those who knew him.”
Dr Masson completed his medical training in India and also worked as a doctor in east Africa. He worked in different parts of the UK before settling in Essex in 1975.
Andy Stamp, 65
Occupation: IT department
Place of work: Alder Hey children’s hospital
Date of death: 16 April 2020
Stamp was known throughout Liverpool by his DJ stage name, Jaye. He regularly performed at iconic clubs in the city including the Grafton and the Coconut Grove. He also worked in the IT department at Alder Hey children’s hospital and had been travelling to the hospital to keep its computer systems on track during the pandemic.
His close friend Ian “Kay” Roach, also a DJ, told the Liverpool Echo that Stamp was a “great fella who always made you feel like a million dollars”.
He added: “Andy was a larger-than-life character. I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about him. If you had a problem, he’d try and help you.”
Gordon Ballard
Occupation: Logistics manager
Place of work: London ambulance service
Date of death: 15 April 2020
Gordon Ballard, from east London, an ambulance service worker for 42 years, died of the virus. A London ambulance spokesman said: “He will be greatly missed.”
Krishan Arora, 57
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Violet Lane medical practice
Date of death: 15 April 2020
Krishan Arora worked at the Violet Lane medical practice in Croydon, south London, for 27 years. Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) confirmed he had died after testing positive for Covid-19, adding that he was not at work in the time before he died.
Paying tribute to Arora, Dr Agnelo Fernandes, the GP borough lead for Croydon, said: “We are all greatly saddened by the death of Dr Krishan Arora. Krish was extremely well liked and worked tirelessly to care for his patients and improve services for everyone in Croydon.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Krish’s family, friends and close colleagues at this difficult time. We will miss him.”
Julianne Cadby
Occupation: Business manager
Place of work: Cardiff and Vale University health board
Date of death: 15 April 2020
Cadby was a business manager for Cardiff and Vale University health board’s specialist child and adolescent mental health services. She had worked in the specialist service for more than 16 years, and had been with the health board for 30 years, beginning her career as a medical secretary across a range of departments.
She died just four days after her 84-year-old mother, Joan, passed away from the same virus. She is survived by her seven-year-old son, Evan, who is being looked after by other family members while his father, Chris, 43, is in hospital with Covid-19. A crowdfunder has been set up for Evan.
A statement from the health board said: “It is with profound sadness that we must inform you that Julianne Cadby has passed away after testing positive for Covid-19.
“Julianne was a much-loved member of our team. She was extremely warm and caring and would always make time to help and support her colleagues.”
Brian Darlington
Occupation: Hospital porter
Place of work: Mid Cheshire hospitals
Date of death: Unknown
Brian Darlington was known for handing out sweets to his colleagues as a porter with Mid Cheshire hospitals, where he worked for over 20 years. He died at Leighton hospital after contracting Covid-19, a spokesman for the hospital trust said.
His wife, Ava, said: “We were married for 46 years and Brian was a great husband, as well as father and grandfather.” The trust’s chief executive, James Sumner, said: “Brian had dedicated over 20 years to the trust during his NHS career and will be sadly missed by all who knew and worked with him.
“He was without doubt a treasured member of the team at Mid Cheshire.”
Amrik Bamotra, 63
Occupation: Radiology support worker
Place of work: King George hospital in Goodmayes
Date of death: 10 April 2020
Amrik Bamotra had been a radiology support worker at the King George hospital for the past four years and was a porter there before that. He is survived by his wife, daughter and son.
Tony Chambers, the chief executive of Barking, Havering and Redbridge university hospitals trust, said: “Amrik was well-liked among his colleagues, who have shared how friendly, chatty and kind-hearted he was, and that he was caring and compassionate to all patients. They said he treated everyone like his own family.”
Lourdes Campbell
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Bolton NHS foundation trust
Date of death: 15 April 2020
Lourdes Campbell was employed by Bolton NHS foundation trust. The chief executive, Fiona Noden, announced her death, saying: “It is with deep regret and huge sadness that I share with you the devastating news that we have lost a friend and colleague to the terrible Covid-19 virus.
“Lourdes Campbell, one of our healthcare assistants, died yesterday on our critical care unit. Lourdes, known as Des to her colleagues, had worked with us for nearly 13 years.”
She added: “She was a well-liked and valued member of the team, known for working extremely hard. She was dedicated to patient care and her colleagues respected her quiet, diligent and compassionate approach.”
Andrew Treble, 57
Occupation: Theatre assistant
Place of work: Wrexham Maelor hospital
Date of death: 15 April 2020
Andrew Treble had worked at the hospital for almost 40 years. His 17-year-old daughter, Emily, said: “He was such a lovely man. I’m proud to call him my father. He’s helped me through so much and he has always been there for me.
“He always cheered me up by watching Laurel and Hardy together. He was so kind, so loving and he will be missed forever.”
Ade Raymond, 48
Occupation: Healthcare assistant and first-year student mental health nurse
Place of work: Barnet, Enfield and Haringey (BEH) mental health trust in London
Date of death: 15 April 2020
Ade Raymond was described by colleagues as a “compassionate” and “inspirational” man who had “always wanted to become a nurse”. The first-year student mental health nurse, studying at Middlesex University in north-west London, also worked part-time as a healthcare assistant.
Jinjer Kandola, the BEH trust chief executive, said Raymond was a “highly respected” team member.
She tweeted: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the loss of our colleague & friend Ade Raymond due to coronavirus. A much-valued member of the team who was studying for a nursing degree.”
Khalid Jamil, 57
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Watford General hospital
Date of death: 14 April 2020
The father-of-two, who lived in St Albans, was a healthcare assistant and had been with West Hertfordshire hospitals NHS trust since March 2006.
His daughter Sumaiyah told the Watford Observer and Review her father was a “selfless” man who always put his family’s needs before his own, adding he used to always come home and share stories about his day and the patients he cared for.
She said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beautiful dad. He was an NHS hero who lost his life to coronavirus. In a matter of days his condition had deteriorated rapidly and it was very hard for our family to see him in such a vulnerable state.
“Many will describe my dad as always having a smile on his face. His loving and supportive nature extended to all his relatives, friends, colleagues, and patients. We cannot put into words the depth of his loss. He really was the heart of our family.
“He was a phenomenal father whom we will miss dearly and we will keep him in our prayers and cherish our memories with him forever.”
Sumaiyah has also recognised all of the NHS staff who are “working tirelessly” on the frontline to save lives, describing them as “true heroes”.
Juliet Alder, 58
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Hammersmith and Fulham mental health unit
Date of death: 14 April 2020
Alder’s colleagues have launched a fundraiser in her memory. She started working at the West London NHS trust in 2016 as a healthcare assistant before moving to the Hammersmith and Fulhammental health unit where she supported older people in the last weeks of their life.
Her colleagues described her as a “kind, caring and thoughtful colleague”, adding: “She was compassionate to patients, colleagues and carers and maternal towards those who came in contact with her.”
Linnette Cruz, 51
Occupation: Dental nurse
Place of work: Swansea Bay University Health Board
Date of death: 14 April 2020
Cruz was a senior head nurse at a dental practice in Sketty, a suburban district about two miles from Swansea city centre. She had been admitted to hospital in March after suffering Covid-19 symptoms. She is survived by her husband, Jeonardy, a son, Jeonard, a sister, Rose, and her parents.
Cruz trained in the Philippines before coming to Swansea. The owner of the practice she worked at, Nik Patel, paid tribute to her. She “brought love, light and joy to everyone around her”, he said.
Gaily Catalla
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Kent hospitals
Date of death: unknown
Catalla, who lived in Maidstone, worked in Kent as a nurse. She had moved to the UK from the Philippines. Her friend Mary Arimas said: “She was a fierce frontliner who fought until the very end.”
Stephen Pearson, 51
Occupation: Mental health nurse
Place of work: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear trust
Date of death: 13 April
Pearson was a mental health staff nurse working for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS trust in the North of Tyne street triage team.
He had two daughters, Rebecca, 26, and Bethany, 20, and had been at the trust for more than 30 years, working at St George’s hospital in Morpeth, as well as HM Prison Durham, assisting people with their mental health needs.
His wife Anne said: “Steven was overweight but he was healthy and fit. It was so sudden.
“Bethany’s birthday is on 28 May and he will miss her 21st. Before the lockdown we were due to go on holiday to Bali on 15 June for her birthday. She has finished her law degree so it was a celebration.”
Amarante Dias
Occupation: Endoscopy decontamination technician
Place of work: Weston general hospital in north Somerset
Date of death: 13 April 2020
Amarante Dias worked at Weston general hospital. Dr William Oldfield, the medical director at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS foundation trust, said: “Amarante will be greatly missed and we are ensuring that staff have access to support to help them at this difficult time. We will not be commenting further and ask that everybody respects the privacy of the family at their request.”
The Weston-super-Mare Association of Malayalees also paid tribute to Dias. In a post on Facebook, it said: “Our deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family, [Amarante Dias] will be deeply missed.”
Peter Tun, 62
Occupation: Associate specialist in neurorehabilitation
Place of work: Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading
Date of death: 13 April 2020
Dr Peter Tun had been in intensive care at Royal Berkshire hospital, where he worked. Royal Berkshire NHS foundation trust (RBFT) would not confirm if he had tested positive for Covid-19.
His sons said in a statement: “Our family is immensely proud of our superhero Dad. He used to say: ‘Treat all your patients like they are your own family,’ and this speaks to the type of character that he had. To us, he was simply the best human we know and we will miss him every day.”
Josiane Zauma Ebonja Ekoli, 55
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Agency nurse
Date of death: 13 April 2020
Josiane Zauma Ebonja Ekoli had been ill for about a week when she was admitted to Leeds General Infirmary, a hospital where she used to work.
In a tribute, her daughter Naomie told the PA news agency she wanted her mother to be remembered as “God-fearing, strong, beautiful and caring”.
“It meant everything to be a nurse. She’s being doing it for as long as I remember, more than 30 years,” she said.
She added that her mother, who had worked on a coronavirus ward, called the provisions of personal protective equipment (PPE) available “poor”.
“If they don’t work, then we won’t be treated, so the least they could do is up the PPE so they can make sure it doesn’t happen to another family,” she said.
Jill Foster, the chief nurse at Harrogate and District NHS foundation trust, said Ekoli, known as Josie, was a “much-valued” member of staff.
Barbara Sage, 68
Occupation: Palliative care nurse
Place of work: Marie Curie
Date of death: 12 April 2020
Sage spent over 40 years working in palliative care and became the first member of the Marie Curie nursing team to die of the disease. Her daughter, Donna, said: “Mum was kind and caring and fun … She loved life, her family, her grandkids and she loved her job.”
She added: “Mum started out as an ambulance driver in London when she was 18. It was that which made her want to become a nurse.
“She was a very warm person … I suppose she had all the normal attributes of a Marie Curie nurse. I guess you have to be like that in their line of work, don’t you? She was dedicated to caring for people.”
Melujean Ballesteros, 60
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: St Mary’s hospital in Praed Street, London
Date of death: 12 April 2020
Melujean Ballesteros was originally from the Philippines, and died at Royal Brompton hospital in Chelsea. Her son, Rainier, said his mum had a fever and a cough before her condition worsened.
He said: “[My mum] started her career at St Mary’s hospital in 2002; she loved her work as a nurse. She was a dedicated and very caring nurse.”
Rainier added that he convinced her to visit the hospital when her condition worsened. She is survived by Rainier, another son, Bryan, 38, who also lives in the Philippines, and her husband, Luis, 64, who lives in the UK.
A spokesman for Imperial College Healthcare NHS trust, which runs St Mary’s hospital, said: “We are very sad to confirm the death of one of our nurses, Melujean Ballesteros, who worked at St Mary’s hospital from 2002.
“Melujean was well-known across the hospital for her kindness and compassion. She made a big impact on the lives of her colleagues as well as her patients, and she will be greatly missed.”
Maureen Ellington
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Southmead hospital in Bristol
Date of death: 12 April 2020
Maureen Ellington died in the early hours of Easter Sunday after testing positive for the virus. Colleagues at Southmead hospital described her as a “kind-hearted, compassionate and caring” person while her family said “she would light up any room she entered”.
Her manager, Suzanne Moss, said she and her team had been “devastated” by Maureen’s death. “To receive the sad news that an irreplaceable member of our team has sadly passed away has had a deeply devastating impact on us all.”
She added: “Maureen was a kind-hearted, compassionate and caring person and she brought all these attributes into her ward practice, which made her a highly valued member of the team.
“Maureen put the patients and colleagues before herself and always had a smile on her face. She will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.”
Rahima Bibi Sidhanee, 68
Occupation: Care home nurse
Place of work: Grennell Lodge nursing home
Date of death: 12 April 2020
Rahima Sidhanee, 68, refused to retire so she could continue helping others during the coronavirus outbreak. Her son Abu Sidhanee, 41, said: “She said the elderly people needed her and she actually started doing an extra shift. People were in need of her and she was there.”
She worked as a midwife and nurse after moving to Britain from Trinidad in the late 1960s. She had been working at the Grennell Lodge nursing and care home in Sutton, south London, for 20 years.
Kevin Smith
Occupation: Plaster technician
Place of work: Doncaster and Bassetlaw teaching hospitals
Date of death: 12 April 2020
Kevin Smith had worked at Doncaster Royal Infirmary for over 35 years. Richard Parker, the chief executive at Doncaster and Bassetlaw teaching hospitals, said he was a well-respected and hugely popular member of the team, who “was renowned for his warm personality, diligence and compassion”.
He added: “I am incredibly thankful to colleagues who cared for Kevin, and for their tireless efforts during this time.”
Smith’s daughter, Ellie Whitley, wrote on Facebook: “It’s so overwhelming to see so many amazing comments for such an incredible person who loved his job and everyone he worked with for many years.
“Thank you everyone. We will all miss him greatly but never forget him, ever!”
Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, 28
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Luton and Dunstable university hospital
Date of death: 12 April 2020
Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong was pregnant when she died, and her baby was delivered successfully. She had worked for five years at Luton and Dunstable university hospital. A hospital trust spokeswoman said the nurse’s child was “doing very well” but could give no further information.
Agyapong was admitted to hospital on 7 April, having tested positive for Covid-19 two days previously. David Carter, the chief executive of Bedfordshire hospitals NHS foundation trust, said she was a “fantastic nurse and a great example of what we stand for in this trust”.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mary’s family and friends at this sad time,” he said.
Colleagues have paid tribute to Agyapong, who also went by her married name, Mary Boateng, on a fundraising page set up to support her family. One former colleague said Agyapong had “devoted her life to the NHS as a nurse”.
Cheryl Williams
Occupation: Housekeeper on hospital ward
Place of work: North Middlesex university hospital in Edmonton, north London
Date of death: 12 April 2020
Cheryl Williams worked as a housekeeper on an elderly patient ward, and died on Easter Sunday.
Sharing a picture of Williams on Facebook, the NHS trust said her contribution to patient care at the hospital was “irreplaceable”. North Middlesex university hospital NHS trust said: “With greatest sadness, we can confirm the death of our much-loved colleague Cheryl Williams.”
Gilbert Barnedo
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: South-east London care home
Date of death: 11 April 2020
Barnedo had multiple sclerosis but despite this dedicated his life to helping others. A crowdfunder page set up for him reads: “He has been stable for so many years, however, recently he was blue lighted to the hospital for suffering with bilateral pneumonia and was later found out that he contracted Covid-19 which may have been the main cause of his rapid deterioration. He has fought very hard for many days, but eventually, his frail body was not able to take the disease full on. Shortly, he died of respiratory arrest.”
May Hernandez-Jequinto, one of those who set up the page, wrote: “News of the death across the globe daily has overwhelmed us more than we can imagine. Like anyone, who has lost a family member to this awful disease, Gilbert will never have a proper funeral ceremony he greatly deserves.”
He was born in Pasacao, Camarines Sur, Philippines, and trained as a nurse. He worked in nursing homes in later life.
“Despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and suffering with symptoms of this condition, he loved his job and was very committed to his patients and colleagues,” the crowdfunder page adds.
Oscar King Jr
Occupation: Porter
Place of work: John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford
Date of death: 11 April 2020
Oscar King Jr, a Filipino hospital porter, died on Saturday after contracting Covid-19. On a fundraiser page to support his family members, he was described as a “loving husband” as well as a “devoted father” to his 10-year-old daughter.
King Jr had worked at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford for more than 10 years, “always doing his job with great enthusiasm and joy”. His wife is also believed to have been taken to hospital with severe symptoms of the virus.
Charles Kwame Tanor
Occupation: Healthcare worker
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: 11 April 2020
Charles Kwame Tanor moved to Britain from Ghana and is survived by his partner and four-year-old son. He attended Achimota high school in Ghana and later the National Film and Television Institute. He helped to produce films in the late 1990s.
A fundraising page set up to support his family reads: “For those who knew Charles, he was a problem solver, ever so kind and always available to help even people he didn’t know. Charles died doing what he loves the most, helping the vulnerable.”
Sara Trollope, 51
Occupation: Matron for older adult mental health services
Place of work: Hillingdon hospital in greater London
Date of death: 11 April 2020
Sara Trollope was praised for her empathy and support for older people with dementia.
Dr Paul Hopper, the divisional medical director for Hillingdon, paid tribute to the mother of four: “Sara had that unbeatable combination of kindness, selflessness and total determination to get things right for patients. She was an example to every one of us.”
Gareth Roberts, 65
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Prince Charles hospital in Merthyr Tydfil
Date of death: 11 April 2020
Gareth Roberts worked as a nurse across the Cardiff and Vale health board area for more than 40 years. The husband, father and grandfather died in hospital in Merthyr Tydfil. A friend said he had little to no protection from the virus, which the health board said it would investigate.
“He didn’t have PPE. In the beginning he said he didn’t have anything,” his childhood friend Janette Leonard said.
Roberts was also a husband to Linda, a father to Ceri and Dean and a grandfather to 16-year-old Zac, whom he and his wife brought up after their son Dean passed away 11 years ago.
Amor Padilla Gatinao, 50
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: St Charles hospital in west London
Date of death: 10 April 2020
Amor Padilla Gatinao had worked in the NHS for 18 years, and her husband, Mario, said he believed she caught the virus while working at St Charles hospital. Speaking to Sky News, he said: “Our youngest child is 14 years old and it is so hard. The pain is unbearable.
“I called the ambulance and they came to the house but refused to admit her to the hospital. They told her to take paracetamol. Her whole body was in pain. She couldn’t eat. She was diabetic and also had a heart condition.
“I don’t know why the government did not do more to protect NHS workers, like my wife. She was neglected. My children’s lives will never be the same again.”
Padilla Gatinao was a clinical nurse assessor who moved to the UK in 2002.
Leilani Medel, 41
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: A number of local hospitals in Wales
Date of death: 10 April 2020
Leilani Medel was a nurse in Bridgend, where she had lived for more than 10 years working in care homes and hospitals. Her aunt, Shiela Ancheta, who lives in the Philippines, has paid tribute to her niece. “We are very sad because we can’t go there to visit her family because of the travel ban. Although she was my niece, she is six years older than me. She was like my older sister,” she said.
Also posting on Facebook on Good Friday, Ancheta said: “In this distressed time, we express our love, concern and condolences to the bereaved family of my niece, Leilani Medel, 41, from Bridgend, Wales, born in Divisoria, Santiago City, who passed away due to Covid-19 pandemic.”
Donna Campbell, 54
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Velindre cancer centre in Cardiff
Date of death: 10 April 2020
Donna Campbell was described by colleagues as a “beautiful, kind-hearted friend”. She had worked at the cancer centre for many years, initially as a volunteer.
Velindre university NHS trust said: “She was often found singing and dancing, entertaining patients and staff, making everyone smile. Donna will always have a special place in our hearts and we will all want to send our heartfelt sympathy and love to her family at this very difficult time.”
Julie Omar, 52
Occupation: Orthopaedic nurse
Place of work: Alexandra hospital in Redditch
Date of death: 10 April 2020
A highly experienced trauma and orthopaedic nurse, Julie Omar had been self-isolating at home after developing symptoms, Worcestershire acute hospitals NHS trust said. Her condition deteriorated and she died at home.
She leaves behind her husband, Laith, and a grown-up daughter.
The trust’s chief executive, Matthew Hopkins, said: “It is with great sorrow that I have to share with you the sad news that a much-loved member of our nursing team – Julie Omar – has died.”
He added: “Julie was a dedicated and highly experienced trauma and orthopaedics nurse who had most recently been working as a sister on ward 14 at the Alexandra, but she will also be known to many of you on the Worcester site from her time with the trauma team there.”
Elbert Rico
Occupation: Hospital porter
Place of work: John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford
Date of death: 10 April 2020
Elberto Rico, who was Filipino, died on Friday from suspected coronavirus. He was a father and a husband who had been working as a porter at the John Radcliffe hospital since he arrived in the UK in 2004.
A fundraiser set up by his daughter, Carla Rico, said: “He was always working and would prioritise others’ needs firsts. He would walk around the hospital with a smile on his face and very rarely would he call in sick from work.”
Liz Shale, 61
Occupation: NHS admin worker
Place of work: East Surrey hospital
Date of death: 9 April 2020
Shale worked for the NHS for 20 years but spent the last decade working in palliative care in Bradford.
Her eldest son, Jason Shale, 34, told the Sun: “When all this started she wanted to continue going into work.
“She was one of those bubbly people who liked to motivate everyone. She just continued trying to do that until she became ill.
“She was initially told she had flu but she was eventually taken into hospital.”
Joanna Klenczon, 34
Occupation: Cleaning teams
Place of work: Northampton general hospital
Date of death: 9 April 2020
Klenczon had worked at Northampton for 10 years managing cleaning teams. A statement from the hospital confirmed she died on 9 April after “receiving the best care we could provide”.
The hospital added: “Her colleagues remember her as someone who was courteous, polite, a good organiser and team member who set high standards, and was prepared to go the extra mile.
“Our thoughts are with Joanna’s family at this time and we offer them our sincere condolences.”
Abdul Gellaledin, 53
Occupation: Ambulance care assistant
Place of work: Kingston hospital
Date of death: 9 April 2020
Gellaledin was described as a family man who was much adored in the community. He left behind two sons, 11 and 16, as well as a daughter aged 20. He arrived in the UK from Sudan over 30 years ago and worked transporting elderly patients to and from Kingston hospital and care homes. He was also known by many in the community as driver for London United bus company for nearly a decade.
“Abdul and his crew mates developed symptoms for Covid-19 and they decided to immediately self-isolate for a period of two weeks due a continuous cough, fever and persistent headaches. He self-isolated for a period of nine days where his condition began to worsen and subsequently was brought into hospital in an ambulance with severe breathing difficulties which coincided with the aforementioned fever and cough. Abdul was very active, fit and healthy,” said his nephew Ahmed Aburunnat.
“After an x-ray it was discovered that he had developed pneumonia. Abdul was also in hospital for a number of days before being tested for Covid-19 which returned positive (after three days) and he was then transferred to the ICU,” he added.
His nephew said that he had concerns about a lack of personal protective equipment. He said: “Abdul was was a very kind-hearted, warm, respectful, selfless gentleman who went above and beyond for everyone he encountered. Abdul was a bubbly individual famed for his interactions with customers, colleagues and friends.
Mandy Siddorn, 61
Occupation: Pharmacy technician
Place of work: Swettenham Chemist
Date of death: 9 April 2020
Siddorn was praised by colleagues for her ability to make people smile in the hardest times. A spokesman for the pharmacy posted a touching tribute to the 61-year-old on their social media page, saying: “It is with much sadness that we acknowledge the loss of one of our Swettenham family, Mandy, who passed away as a result of contracting coronavirus.
“Mandy worked across our Wirral and Chester branches as a registered checking technician, the highest non-pharmacist role, and did so with outstanding professionalism and accuracy.
“We are all devastated by this tragic loss and our thoughts go out to all who knew her.”
Edmond Adedeji, 62
Occupation: Locum registrar
Place of work: Great Western hospital
Date of death: 8 April 2020
Dr Edmond Adedeji was a locum registrar in the emergency department. He died after being cared for in the intensive care unit, having tested positive for Covid-19.
The 62-year-old had worked as a locum registrar in the emergency department since August 2019. His family said in a statement: “We as a family are grateful to God for the life of Dr Edmond Adefolu Adedeji. He died doing a job he loved, serving others before himself.
“We would like to thank the staff and his colleagues for looking after him during his final days. He leaves behind a wife, three children and three grandchildren.”
Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, 53
Occupation: Doctor
Place of work: Homerton university hospital in London
Date of death: 8 April 2020
Dr Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, a consultant urologist at Homerton hospital in Hackney, east London, died after spending 15 days in Queens hospital, Romford.
In March, he wrote a Facebook message to Boris Johnson outlining the urgent need for PPE for frontline staff and calling for testing for healthcare workers to be fast-tracked.
He told Johnson that healthcare workers “are in direct contact with patients” and have a “human right like others to live in this world disease-free with our family and children”.
Philip Glanville, the Labour mayor of Hackney, hailed Chowdhury as a “hero” who died serving the borough. In a tweet he added: “I hope his death wasn’t as a result of continuing issues around testing & PPE, but it raises Qs. A sobering reminder of the lives being lost to keep us safe & the contribution BAME staff make.”
Fayez Ayache, 76
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Volunteering in North Clacton, Essex
Date of death: 8 April 2020
Dr Fayez Ayache had retired as a GP at Suffolk’s Constable country medical practice, but he had been working part-time as a GP in North Clacton, Essex. He had volunteered to help refugees from his native Syria, where he trained as a doctor before moving to the UK in 1973. He died on 8 April after being diagnosed with pneumonia and Covid-19.
Dr Sharif Al-Ghazal, a consultant plastic surgeon at Bradford Royal Infirmary, paid tribute on behalf of the Syrian British Medical Society. He said: “Dr Fayez was a kind-hearted man who always went out of his way to assist his patients, even at great personal cost. He was loved by many, and more recently over the last few years has tended to the needs of newly arrived Syrian refugees.”
His daughters Layla and Katie said: “He was the most kind-hearted, loving, generous and caring man we knew and he was an incredible and amazing doctor having worked as a GP, ENT consultant and surgeon in the NHS and private sector for over 40 years. We are truly devastated and will miss him dearly. He was a true foundation in our lives.”
Elsie Sazuze, 44
Occupation: Care home nurse
Place of work: Wolverhampton-based care agency Totally Care
Date of death: 8 April 2020
Elsie Sazuze, from Birmingham, worked at a Staffordshire nursing home and was described by a friend as “dedicated to helping people”.
After falling sick at home, she was taken to Good Hope hospital in Sutton Coldfield where she died, leaving behind her husband, Ken, a 22-year-old son and a daughter aged 16.
Originally from Malawi, she had trained and worked at New Cross hospital in Wolverhampton and was employed by the Wolverhampton-based care agency Totally Care.
A childhood friend, William Fungatira, said: “Elsie was a naturally quiet person but very caring, friendly, cheerful and resilient. She had a passion to always help others. She was dedicated to helping people.”
He set up a fundraiser for her family, which reads: “Following the tragic death of Elsie Sazuze, a practising NHS nurse, who succumbed to Covid-19 on the morning of 8 April 2020 at Good Hope hospital in Sutton Coldfield, this is an appeal to well-wishers to raise funds which will help the bereaved family in alleviating the financial burden that their circumstances present.”
Donald Suelto, 51
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Hammersmith hospital in London
Date of death: 7 April 2020
Donald Suelto was described by friends and family as a nurse who was “dedicated” to his job and “proud to work for the NHS”. He had previously worked as a nurse in the Philippines before moving to the UK for a job with the NHS 18 years ago.
His niece, Emelyne Suelto Robertson, told Nursing Times that she hoped the news of her uncle’s death would remind people to stay home “because this is the reality of frontline nurses”.
Suelto Robinson, who works as a nurse in Scotland, said her uncle had died alone at home after self-isolating with symptoms of Covid-19 and was found by police. “My uncle is really a hero for all of us,” she said.
“He really offered his service to our NHS here in the UK and he was really dedicated to his job.”
Alice Kit Tak Ong, 70
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Colindale medical centre in Barnet
Date of death: 7 April 2020
Alice Kit Tak Ong had been a nurse in the NHS her entire working life, having arrived in the UK from Hong Kong to study nursing in the early 70s. She spent time as a midwife and later as a diabetic specialist nurse. For the past 20 years she had worked in the community. She was still working full-time across two surgeries and running baby clinics when she fell ill with the coronavirus.
On 7 April, two weeks after she was admitted to hospital, the 70-year-old died at the Royal Free hospital in London. At the end of her life her family were unable to visit because of the risk of infection to her husband, Marcus.
Her daughter Melissa Ong, 37, said her mother had spent her life helping and caring for others. “She was completely dedicated to her work. That’s what she was doing until the moment she was taken ill,” she said. “She loved her job and she loved her patients.” She said the family had been inundated with messages of condolence and love. “She had a very good heart and very generous personality. Everybody loved her.”
Leilani Dayrit, 47
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: St Cross hospital in Rugby
Date of death: 7 April 2020
Leilani Dayrit died of suspected Covid-19 after giving 16 years of service to the NHS. In a fundraiser set up to help the nurse’s family, Araial Ilustre said: “Her sudden tragic passing left behind her loving husband and her most beautiful legacy, her daughter. She is a ray of sunshine to those people who were fortunate to meet her.
“Her beautiful smile mirrors her beautiful heart full of love. Her strong willpower to surpass any trial in life and her optimism resonates to everyone.”
Dayrit was nicknamed “Mummy Lei” by the children of her friends. She was one of eight children, and grew up in Vigan City in the Philippines. As a young woman, she was a member of a performance arts club. She finished her nursing degree at the University of Northern Philippines.
Jitendra Rathod, 62
Occupation: Heart surgeon
Place of work: The Cardiff and Vale University health board
Date of death: 6 April 2020
Jitendra Rathod was an experienced and admired heart surgeon. A father of two, he died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he was an associate specialist in cardiothoracic surgery.
The Cardiff and Vale University health board said he had worked in the cardiothoracic surgery department since the mid-90s. “He was an incredibly dedicated surgeon who cared deeply for his patients,” the board said. “He was well-liked and greatly respected by one and all. He was a very compassionate and a wonderful human being.”
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, paid tribute to Rathod, while the former Welsh Conservative party leader Andrew RT Davies said: “He was highly regarded in the medical profession in Wales. My thoughts are with his wife and two sons.”
Janice Graham, 58
Occupation: Healthcare support worker and district nurse
Place of work: Inverclyde health and social care partnership
Date of death: 6 April 2020
Janice Graham was a healthcare support worker and district nurse. When she died at Inverclyde Royal hospital, she was believed to be the first NHS worker to die in Scotland from the coronavirus.
Speaking to STV News, her son, Craig, said: “I am so proud of her and there will not be a day that goes by that I will not think about her.”
Louise Long, the chief officer of Inverclyde health and social care partnership, said: “Janice was a valued team member in our district nursing and evening services team and brought kindness and compassion to patients and colleagues.”
Barbara Moore, 54
Occupation: Patient discharge planner
Place of work: Aintree university hospital
Date of death: 6 April 2020
Hailed as an unsung hero, Barbara Moore died after testing positive for coronavirus, Liverpool university hospitals confirmed. The chief nurse, Dianne Brown, said: “Barbara’s loss is an awful blow to us all, and she will be missed so much by all of her colleagues.”
Moore was responsible for making arrangements to allow patients to safely leave the hospital. She joined the hospital team after spending most of her career as a care worker for people with disabilities.
A spokesman for her family said: “Barbara dedicated her life to caring for others and doted on her two beautiful children and grandchildren.”
Emily Perugia, 29
Occupation: NHS care worker
Place of work: Central and north west London NHS foundation trust
Date of death: 5 April 2020
Emily Perugia was a member of the care connection team in Northwood for the Central and North West London NHS foundation trust. She was engaged to James Day, who also works in the contact centre, and they had recently moved into their first home together.
One of her friends shared on Facebook: “To Emily Perugia shine bright lovely stay at home it saves lives we lost one of our own last night all our thoughts are with family and friends of Emily what a lovely girl!
“This virus is evil and we need to beat this together by staying home please everyone do as we are asked and stay in let the NHS fight this and stop the spread of the evil that is upon us.”
Maria Cassidy, 68
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: 5 April 2020
Cassidy was described by her daughter Lisa Marie as a “treasured mum and grandma”. She has set up a fundraising page to remember her mother and help pay for her funeral costs. Marie said: “On Sunday 5 April I received a call from the hospital telling me that they were removing the ventilator to allow my mum to die. That is the worst phone call I have ever received in my life.”
Cassidy spent most of her life working as a nurse in Sheffield. Her daughter said: “Mum spent most of her adult life looking after others as a nurse. It was her true calling and her vocation.”
Rebecca Mack, 29
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle
Date of death: 5 April 2020
Rebecca Mack, from Morpeth in Northumberland, had worked as a children’s nurse at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary before going on to a job with NHS 111. She had no known health problems, and fell ill after a work training session in Derby.
She was self-isolating alone at her home when her symptoms worsened. Mack called for an ambulance and left the door open for paramedics. They found her dead in her home, her mother, Marion, told the Newcastle Chronicle.
She said: “We couldn’t have wished for a nicer daughter. She was so caring. She was just the light of our lives. I can’t even begin to imagine life without her.”
The mother of a boy whom Mack nursed when he had leukaemia said: “She could make kids smile when they were that far down.”
Her friend Sarah Bredin-Kemp said Mack would be “so missed”. She wrote in a Facebook post: “We lost our beautiful Rebecca Mack on Sunday to Covid-19. She was a devoted friend, an incredible nurse and an unapologetically imperfect person.”
Syed Zishan Haider, 79
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Valence medical centre in Dagenham
Date of death: 4 April 2020
Described “a selfless and compassionate doctor”, Syed Zishan Haider was a practising GP who was committed to serving his community in Barking and Dagenham. He was a senior partner at Valence medical centre, and also worked as a senior homeopathic physician at the Royal London hospital for integrated medicine for over 30 years.
His daughter Samina said: “His dedication to help people everywhere, be it professionally or personally, was unwavering. We are truly astounded as to how many people have reached out to share a story of his kindness, and continue to receive touching tributes from colleagues, patients, friends and family alike.”
She added: “He was a loving, cheerful and dedicated husband, father and grandfather. We are left with a void that can never be filled. We would like to pay tribute to all the NHS staff who treated him, and those risking their health in all areas of frontline services.”
Glen Corbin, 59
Occupation: Retired mental health worker
Place of work: Central and North West London NHS trust
Date of death: 4 April 2020
Glen Corbin had recently returned to work as a bank healthcare assistant. He worked at Pine Ward at Park Royal centre for mental health (PRCMH) for many years, joining shortly after it opened in 1995.
Central and North West London trust released a statement on its website saying: “One of our own, Glen Corbin, a staff member from Brent, has very sadly died and his colleagues have written an appreciation note below.
“He was the ‘go to’ person who knew everything about the ward and how to get things done. He was instrumental in helping turn things around [at Park Royal] and supporting the senior management team at the time. It is no secret he hated paperwork and the thing he valued most was being and working with service users.”
The trust added that he had been looking forward to his 60th birthday later this year. “Every time we had staff moves, Glen was always the first to say that he didn’t want to go anywhere else and that he would never be able to replicate the good experiences he had on Pine Ward,” they said.
“PRCMH without Glen is hard to imagine and he delighted in telling everyone he was so much looking forward to travelling back home to his beloved homeland when he wanted, in his words ‘to get some sun on my back,’” the trust said.
Anton Sebastianpillai, 70s
Occupation: Consultant geriatrician
Place of work: Kingston hospital in south London
Date of death: 4 April 2020
Dr Anton Sebastianpillai died in Kingston hospital just over two weeks after completing his last shift there. Sebastianpillai died four days after being admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit.
He qualified as a doctor at the Peradeniya University medical school in his native Sri Lanka and later wrote an illustrated history of the island.
The school praised his “brave commitment to serve the NHS”. Dr Thusiyan Nandakumar, a fellow Tamil working in the NHS, tweeted: “Dr Sebastianpillai put himself at risk to help save others. A remarkably courageous and selfless role model.”
Areema Nasreen, 36
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Walsall Manor hospital in the West Midlands
Date of death: 3 April 2020
Areema Nasreen worked for 16 years at Walsall Manor hospital, where she died after contracting the coronavirus.
Nasreen, who had three children and was from Walsall, developed symptoms on 13 March, including aches, a high temperature and then a cough. Her family said she had no underlying health issues.
Her sister Kazeema Nasreen, 22, a healthcare assistant at the same hospital, said Nasreen was “an amazing nurse” and urged others to take the virus seriously.
In a tribute posted on Facebook, her friend Rubi Aktar said: “She was the most loveliest, genuine person you could ever meet. She went above and beyond for everyone she met. I’m so grateful that I had the honour to call her my best friend. She saw me at my best and my worst and accepted my every flaw. I am so broken that words can’t explain.”
Elvira Bucu, 50
Occupation: NHS care worker
Place of work: Unclear if employed in NHS at time of death
Date of death: 3 April 2020
Elvira Bucu was an NHS care worker and mother of three. In a fundraising page, a family friend said her family had been struggling to cope with her death as her husband also tested positive.
They said: “Elvie’s death was sudden, unexpected and we are all still in shock. She only just turned 50 and she still had her whole life ahead of her. She was still yet to see her daughter get married, she was still yet to live the life she planned and worked so hard for.
“She was still yet to know what it was like to become a grandmother. She was still yet to fulfil her dream of becoming a nurse.”
Liz Glanister, 68
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Aintree university hospital in Liverpool
Date of death: 3 April 2020
Liz Glanister, a staff nurse, died in hospital after testing positive for the virus.
The Liverpool university hospitals NHS foundation trust chief nurse, Dianne Brown, said: “It is with great sadness that I can confirm that Liz Glanister, a long-serving staff nurse at Aintree university hospital, sadly passed away at the Royal Liverpool university hospital on Friday after being tested positive for Covid-19.
“All our thoughts are with Liz’s family at this time and we offer them our sincere condolences. Liz will be sadly missed by all those who knew and worked with her.”
Liverpool’s mayor, Joe Anderson, also paid tribute to her “sacrifice” and added: “Words cannot express how much a debt of gratitude this city owes to Liz Glanister and her colleagues.”
Amanda Forde
Occupation: GP receptionist
Place of work: Vale practice
Date of death: 3 April 2020
Forde worked at a GP practice in London. Her employer described her as “a beautiful, caring receptionist”. The practice’s website includes a dedication to her that concludes: “May she rest in peace.”
John Alagos, 23
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Watford general hospital in Hertfordshire
Date of death: 3 April 2020
John Alagos is believed to be the youngest medic in the UK to die from coronavirus. His mother, Gina Gustilo, said her son fell ill during a 12-hour shift but was allegedly not allowed to return home due to short-staffing.
She told the Mail on Sunday: “I asked: ‘Why didn’t you come home?’ He said he had asked other staff but they said they were short of staff and they did not let him go.”
Gustilo described how she then advised her son to take paracetamol, but just minutes later, found him unconscious and “turning blue” in his bed.
A spokeswoman for Watford general hospital described him as “very popular” and said he would be “missed greatly”.
She added: “Our staff are fully briefed on the symptoms of Covid-19 and we would never expect anyone to remain at work if they were showing these symptoms or indeed were unwell in any way.
“We have always kept our staff updated on the latest PPE guidance to make sure they have the right level of protection.”
Aimee O‘Rourke, 38
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother hospital
Date of death: 2 April 2020
Aimee O‘Rourke was an NHS nurse and mother of three girls, Megan, Mollie and Maddie. She died at the hospital where she worked.
She studied at Canterbury Christ Church University before joining the NHS in 2017. She started showing symptoms of the coronavirus about two weeks before her condition deteriorated and she was taken into intensive care at the QEQM and put on a ventilator.
Her daughter, Megan Murphy, wrote on Facebook that it had always been “us 4 against the world!”, and said she and her sisters would now look after each other. “Look at all the lives you looked after and all the families you comforted when patients passed away … you are an angel and you will wear your NHS crown forever more because you earned that crown the very first day you started,” she wrote.
A family friend has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for O’Rourke’s family. A colleague, Lucy Page, wrote: “Aimee O’Rourke taught me to fight for what I believe in and gave me courage so many times to do it.” Another colleague, Soraya Zanders, said: “Aimee cared for many patients in her time as a nurse. She brought warmth and comfort to many.”
On the evening of the day she died, family and friends lit candles and clapped in her honour during the weekly Clap for Carers.
Francis Olabode Ajanlekoko 53
Occupation: Mental health nurse
Place of work: Locum nurse at Priory hospital in Ticehurst
Date of death: 2 April 2020
Ajanlekoko was placed on ventilator on 18 March at Queen Elizabeth hospital Woolwich and transferred to Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital two days later. He stopped responding to treatment after 14 days.
His wife, Olabisi, said he “was a frontline mental health practitioner working tirelessly during this pandemic for the people in his community”.
She said: “Francis was very hard working, dedicated, diligent, a compassionate individual and a lover of humanity. He was known well for his charitable attributes and also willingness to go to any length to help a fellow brother or sister. My husband was an exceptional father and a friend to lots of people.”
He is survived by his wife and three children.
Sami Shousha, 79
Occupation: Doctor
Place of work: Charing Cross hospital
Date of death: 2 April 2020
A British-Egyptian doctor, Sami Shousha died two weeks after contracting the virus. He specialised in histopathology, or diseases of the tissue, and trained at the Royal Free hospital and London’s School of Medicine.
He had worked for more than 40 years at Charing Cross hospital, joning in 1978, and he managed the breast histopathology service.
Speaking to Middle East Eye, his nephew Abdelrahman Shousha said: “He was very keen on going to work on his final days despite the health hazards. However, most likely, his work did not involve direct contact with Covid-19 patients.” He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Lynsay Coventry, 54
Occupation: Midwife
Place of work: Princess Alexandra hospital
Date of death: 2 April 2020
Lynsay Coventry was the first publicly confirmed fatality of a serving NHS midwife in England linked to Covid-19.
Her family paid tribute to her as a “very well-respected midwife”, adding: “Our hearts are broken at the loss of our loving, wonderful and caring mum, sister, daughter and grandmother. We each know how much she loved and cherished us. Her love for us all was unfailing and her strength in the way she cared and supported us will fill our memories.”
Relatives said she had trained as a midwife later in life to “follow her dream”. She saw the midwifery team at the hospital “as her other family”, the family statement said, noting how proud she was of her work. She had worked at the hospital for a decade.
Lance McCarthy, the chief executive of the hospital’s NHS trust, said Coventry would be remembered “for her professionalism and commitment to the women she supported”, adding: “Her loss will be felt by the maternity team and colleagues from across the organisation.”
Laura Tanner, 51
Occupation: Locality administrator
Place of work: Basildon and Brentwood clinical commissioning group
Date of death: 1 April 2020
Tanner had worked for the NHS for more than 10 years, her husband, Kevin Tanner, 49, said. He said that he and his wife first showed symptoms of coronavirus around 19 March and both went into self-isolation.
After a week his symptoms began to improve, but his wife’s did not. He told the Express and Star: “She was fantastic … She was very loving, caring. She was a great mother to her children, she loved them dearly. She was friendly to everyone.”
Tony Reuben Eriamiatoe, 53
Occupation: Nurse
Place of work: Agency worker
Date of death: 1 April 2020
Eriamiatoe was a staff nurse and had worked for the Pennine Care NHS foundation trust. He has been described by his colleagues as gentle, compassionate and professional.
He had no underlying health conditions and was treated for the virus at Salford Royal hospital. His family mourn his loss with his children Roy, Jeff, and Amy and their mother, Mercy.
His wife, Mercy, said: “Tony was a good dad and a loving husband. He has been described by his colleagues as gentle, compassionate and professional.”
Joan Grimshaw
Occupation: Retired nurse
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: 1 April 2020
Grimshaw spent her whole working life with the NHS, after becoming a student nurse at just 18 years old. She was one of the first in a group of student nurses to work for the health service, and looked back on her career with fond memories after her retirement in 1995.
After retiring, Grimshaw would still attend nights out with the casualty staff once a month.
Her daughter, Denise, 63, said: “Her job used to mean everything to her and even in retirement, she wanted to stay on for as long as she could.
“We used to take her back to see her friends, even though many of them had passed away and others had dementia.”
Hamza Pacheeri, 80
Occupation: Retired gynaecologist
Place of work: Unknown
Date of death: 1 April 2020
Hamza Pacheeri was a native of Perinthalmanna in Kerala, India, and he graduated from Government Medical College in Kozhikode.
He worked in several hospitals across the UK and was known as a very sociable and helpful person who would go to great lengths to help the community. Hamza was undergoing treatment for complications from coronavirus and died at City hospital in Birmingham.
Eric Labeja-Acellam, 69
Occupation: Consultant
Place of work: University Hospital Lewisham in south-east London
Date of death: 31 March 2020
Dr Eric Labeja-Acellam, originally from Uganda, is said to have died at King’s College hospital. His wife, Jennifer Lawala, a well-known musician in Uganda, also contracted the coronavirus. She told Mirror Online: “If God could allow two people to go at the same time, I would want to go with my husband. I don’t know how I survived.”
Talking about the last time she saw her husband, she said: “He held my hand, he didn’t want to let go of my hand when the ambulance came to get him.
“I told him: ‘You are going to come back,’ and he asked: ‘Can you come with me?’ The ambulance wouldn’t allow it.”
Alfa Saadu, 68
Occupation: Part-time locum and retired medical director
Place of work: Princess Alexandra hospital
Date of death: 31 March 2020
Dr Alfa Saadu had nearly 40 years’ experience in the NHS. He died at the Whittington hospital in north London. He had been a medical director at the Princess Alexandra hospital in Essex and Ealing NHS trust, and had worked at many hospitals in the capital.
The former president of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, posted his condolences on Twitter. He said Dr Saadu had been a chairman of the Kwara State Association, a community leader and traditional office holder as Galadima of Pategi.
His son, Dani Saadu, said of his father: “He was a very passionate man, who cared about saving people. As soon as you spoke to him about medicine or what was happening with the NHS his eyes would light up – he was very passionate.
“He was working part-time as a locum as he just could not fully retire. He just loved medicine so much. He worked for the NHS for nearly 40 years in different hospitals across London and he loved to lecture people in the world of medicine; he did so in the UK and Africa.”
John Doyle, 60
Occupation: Telephonist
Place of work: New Cross hospital
Date of death:30 March 2020
Doyle was the first male telephonist to work at the hospital, and died on 30 March after suffering respiratory problems before contracting Covid-19.
The 60-year-old from Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, worked for the trust for nearly four and a half years.
Erwin Spannagl, 58
Occupation: Vascular surgeon
Place of work: Northwick Park hospital
Date of death: 29 March 2020
An experienced surgeon who worked in London’s Northwick Park hospital for a decade, he was found dead on 29 March in a flat in Potsdam, Germany, where a postmortem showed he had contracted Covid-19.
Vascular consultant Lorenzo Patrone, who worked alongside Dr Spannagl for more than three years, said he was a “very experienced and tireless colleague, excellent teacher, wonderful person, always happy to run the extra mile for patients”.
He leaves behind two daughters in Germany.
Thomas Harvey, 57
Occupation: Healthcare assistant
Place of work: Goodmayes hospital in east London
Date of death: 29 March 2020
Thomas Harvey caught the coronavirus and died after treating patients with only gloves for protection, according to his family.
It is claimed Harvey fell ill after helping a patient who later tested positive for Covid-19 and eventually died on 29 March. He had been signed off work more than two weeks earlier when he developed symptoms including a cough, shortness of breath and body aches.
His family said that if he had had the correct personal protective equipment, he might still be alive. Goodmayes hospital claimed there were “no symptomatic patients on the ward”. However, a former colleague told the BBC that Harvey contracted the virus after treating a patient who later tested positive.
Amged El-Hawrani, 55
Occupation: ENT consultant
Place of work: Queen’s hospital in Burton
Date of death: 28 March 2020
A respected ear, nose and throat consultant, Amged El-Hawrani was one of the first confirmed hospital frontline workers to die in the UK after testing positive for the coronavirus. His death prompted tributes from ministers and senior health leaders.
In a statement, his family said he was “a loving and much-loved husband, son, father, brother, and friend”.
“His greatest passions were his family and his profession, and he dedicated his life to both,” they said.
“We would like to thank all those involved in his care for their kindness and compassion during his illness. They worked tirelessly for their patient, as he would have done for his own.”
Pooja Sharma, 33
Occupation: Hospital pharmacist
Place of work: Eastbourne district general hospital, East Sussex
Date of death: 26 March 2020
Pooja Sharma died a day after her father also passed away from the coronavirus.
A friend, Amarjit Aujla, paid tribute on Facebook: “Her laughter was contagious and her random calls made my day. From when we were in primary school until we last spoke two weeks ago, you gave me nothing but love, support and a tummy ache with all the laughter.
“Life can never be the same without you my dear friend.”
Lara Stacey Young, a nurse in the area, said: “So many people will be devastated. She was such a lovely soul.”
Sharma’s father, Sudhir, 61, was an immigration officer at Heathrow, but officials said it was likely he had contracted the virus elsewhere. He had been away from work since 7 January due to “underlying health problems”.
Andy Howe, 48
Occupation: Bus driver running transit service to hospitals
Place of work: Nottingham
Date of death: 26 March 2020
Andy Howe worked on the Medilink service, which took NHS workers and patients to hospital. He died on the way to hospital after falling ill, his employer said.
A spokesman for the RMT union said: “We are saddened by the news of Andy’s passing. We’re also angered by the reports we have received about a lack of duty of care for Andy, his colleagues and the wider public.”
He said this included reports of toilets and buses not being cleaned properly, and a lack of protective screens or masks.
CT4N, the operator of the bus service, denied the allegation and said it had been “rigorously following government health and safety advice”.
Andrew Grieve from CT4N said Howe was a popular and well-respected member of the team and said everyone was devastated” by his death.
Adil El Tayar, 63
Occupation: Surgeon
Place of work: Volunteering in A&E departments in the Midlands
Date of death: 25 March 2020
Adil El Tayar was the first working NHS surgeon known to have died from Covid-19 in the UK. He had been volunteering in A&E departments in the Midlands to help the NHS cope with the virus.
“He wanted to be deployed where he would be most useful in the crisis,” said his cousin, the broadcaster Zeinab Badawi. “It had taken just 12 days for Adil to go from a seemingly fit and capable doctor working in a busy hospital to lying in a hospital morgue.”
His former colleague Abbas Ghazanfar, a renal transplant surgeon at St George’s hospital in Tooting, described Tayar as a “noble human being” who was a “hardworking, dedicated surgeon”.
Habib Zaidi, 76
Occupation: GP
Place of work: Eastwood group practice, Essex
Date of death: 25 March 2020
Dr Habib Zaidi died in intensive care at Southend hospital in Essex, 24 hours after being taken ill. He and his wife, Dr Talat Zaidi, 70, were both managing partners of Eastwood group practice and had served three generations of families in the area for nearly 50 years. The couple’s four children all work in the medical profession.
Their daughter Dr Sarah Zaidi, also a GP, said his death was “reflective of his sacrifice”, adding: “He had a vocational attitude to service.”
She said: “We can’t mourn in the normal way. We can’t have a normal funeral. He left a gaping hole in our hearts, but a loss that is also felt within the community that he devoted almost his entire life to. We are praying for the safety of everyone right now.”
Additional reporting Matthew Weaver.