The NHS and care workers who have died during the coronavirus pandemic

At least 190 frontline health and care workers have died with Covid-19.

At least 190 frontline health and care workers have died after contracting coronavirus.

Through tributes from local NHS trusts and loved ones, the PA news agency has confirmed the names of 190 health and social care workers who have died after contracting Covid-19 since March 11.

This chronological list contains people who were working in roles shortly before their deaths where they were likely to come into contact with patients.

The figure is likely to be still lower than the true number of workers who have died, as the names of some victims will not yet be in the public domain.

– Mark Lowe, porter

The “brilliant” Mr Lowe was a porter in the radiology department of the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, working for South Tees NHS Foundation Trust for 20 years. He died on May 28.

– Dr Abdorreza Sedghi, GP

Known as Abdy, Dr Sedghi contacted Covid-19 in April before he died on May 27. The Iranian GP had been based at Lister Hospital in Stevenage since August 2019 and had “charisma and personality”.

Dr Abdorreza Sedghi was an Iranian GP working in Stevenage (East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust)

Mr Macalalad, 44, who lived with his wife Elsie, a nurse, and son Justin in Cardiff, had worked as a theatre assistant treating eye disorders for two years, and was described as a “perfect gentleman” and “a loyal team player”.

Allan Macalalad, 44 (handout)

– Dominga David, nurse

Mother-of-one Ms David, a nurse from Penarth who had been at University Hospital Llandough since 2004, and was described as an “exceptionally hard worker and a respectful, kind and compassionate person”.

She died on Tuesday May 26.

Dominga David, 62, a nurse from Penarth who worked at University Hospital Llandough, and died after testing positive for coronavirus (Family handout/Cardiff and Vale University Health Board)

– Sylvia Tideswell, nursing assistant

Sylvia Tideswell, 60, had been working on the elderly care wards at Royal Stoke University Hospital since 2003 and died on May 25 after testing positive for the virus.

Her daughter Sarah said: “Mum was wonderful. She was caring and considerate and would do anything for anybody. She loved her job at the hospital and wouldn’t hesitate in doing everything for everyone else. She enjoyed her garden, going on holiday and walking her dog and took pleasure in the simple things like going out for a coffee and piece of cake.”

– Victor Dinoo, senior nurse

Mr Dinoo died in Leicester on May 24, having tested positive for the virus.

Margaret Garbett, director of nursing for University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Victor was a highly valued and respected senior nurse from the Clinical Site Team for Solihull, Heartlands and Good Hope hospitals and will be greatly missed. The trust is in touch with his family and offering support to them during this difficult time.”

– Ricardo Bonsato, care worker

Ricky Bonsato (GoFundMe/PA)

– Joselito Habab, nurse

Known as Jo, the father-of-one died at Whiston Hospital on Wednesday May 20 with his wife, an A&E nurse, by his side.

Joselito Habab, a nurse who died after contracting coronavirus (Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust/PA)

– Liz Spooner, nurse

Liz Spooner, 62, died after testing positive for coronavirus (Swansea Bay University Health Board/PA)

On Tuesday her death was said to have left a “massive hole” at the hospital.

– Dr Abdel Wahab Babiker, consultant

Dr Abdel Wahab Babiker, 70, had worked as a consultant physician at Scarborough Hospital since August 2019. He had been receiving care in hospital after contracting coronavirus and died on Monday May 18.

Dr Ed Smith, director of acute, emergency and elderly medicine at Scarborough Hospital, said: “Dr Babiker was an extremely energetic, hard-working, approachable and dedicated doctor.

“He was particularly notable for his ‘can-do’ attitude and supportive nature, and was well-liked by patients and staff alike.”

– Andrew Ekene Nwankwo, nurse

Andrew Ekene Nwankwo, who has died with coronavirus aged 46

– Carlos Sia, healthcare assistant

Described as a “quiet and gentle” person, Carlos Sia, 62, died on Friday May 15 after spending several weeks in intensive care.

A GoFundMe has been set up in memory of Mr Sia (GoFundMe)

In a letter to staff, trust chief executive Matthew Hopkins 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.”

– Paul Nutt, ambulance care assistant

Mr Nutt, who had just turned 60, worked for South Central Ambulance Service on the Wexham Park Hospital site.

Mr Nutt had been in intensive care for three weeks (SCAS/PA)

In a statement, his family said: “Paul was the most loving and devoted husband and father, and he touched so many people’s lives with his joy and kindness.”

– Lillian Mudzivare, senior mental health nurse

Lillian Mudzivare, 41, 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.

Lillian Mudzivare, a senior mental health nurse (Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust/PA)

Safaa Alam, 30, started her professional career as a nurse before training as a midwife at Birmingham Women’s Hospital, where she was described as a “true role model” known for her kindness and compassion.

She died after treatment for Covid-19.

Safaa Alam, a midwife (Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust/PA)

Ms Nicolas, who worked at Maypole Grove Care Home in Kings Heath, Birmingham, died on May 14 after contracting Covid-19.

A friend, who set up a fundraising page for the carer’s family, said she was a mother-of-two “who would do anything to keep a smile on other faces”.

– Jun Terre, healthcare assistant

Jun Terre, 52, died on May 14 and was said to be “a gracious, quiet and kind gentleman with a smile that would light up a room”, according to Neil Macdonald, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust chief executive.

– Peter Gough, administration assistant

Peter Gough, 56, an administration assistant at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, died on May 12, shortly after raising a lack of personal protective equipment to a friend.

“No PPE for admin staff. Not even sanitiser gel as not enough for everywhere in hospital,” a message to friend Paul Saville read before his death.

– Peter Hart, ambulance paramedic

The “highly respected” ambulance paramedic and hospital emergency medic died on his 52nd birthday on May 12.

Peter Hart (Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust/PA)

– Norman Austria, healthcare assistant

The 61-year-old healthcare assistant from the Philippines was described as a “highly valued” member of his ward.

The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton said he regularly sang the song ‘You are my sunshine’ to calm and reassure vulnerable patients.

Mr Austria’s widow Shirley said: “Norman was a very lovable, caring and responsible person. We were married for 40 years and he was a wonderful husband. He was very proud of his family and loved his children and grandchildren very much.”

– Poornima Nair, GP

Dr Nair was a GP at Station View Medical Centre in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Her surgery posted on its website that she was a “much loved and valued colleague and friend” who had died after a “prolonged” Covid-19 infection.

– Dr Thaung Htaik, consultant

Dr Htaik, 65, had been working at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust since January 2019 and was described as “universally well-liked”.

Dr Thaung Htaik (GWH NHS Trust)

In a statement, his family said: “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.”

– Alanzo Smith, mental health worker

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 on May 10.

Alanzo Smith had been working at the mental health trust for more than two decades (Spurgeon Smith)

– Dr Karamat Ullah Mirza, GP

Eighty-four-year-old Karamat Ullah Mirza had been seeing patients until two weeks ago.

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.”

– Phil Rennie, ambulance care assistant

Mr Rennie was a patient transport service care assistant who was “extremely proud” to work for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), based in Oldham.

He died at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury on May 10.

Phil Rennie was ‘extremely proud’ of his work (NWAS)
Resy Manalo (Handout/PA)

Her daughter told PA: “Even though she died a hero it was still hard to accept that she died alone under the world’s circumstances and not to even hug her for one last time.”

– Augustine Agyei-Mensah, learning disabilities nurse

Augustine Agyei-Mensah, known to his colleagues as Gus, was a highly regarded team member at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT).

His colleagues have set up a fundraiser for his family (Justgiving/PA)

– Tariq Shafi, doctor

Dr Tariq Shafi was the “greatly respected” lead consultant for haematology for 13 years at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford. His death was announced on May 7.

“Tariq… built an amazing team of dedicated clinicians and support workers, placing them and his patients at the heart of everything he did,” his trust said.

– Fiona Johnstone, hospital administration worker

Ms Johnstone worked at Biggart Hospital in Prestwick as part of the administration team. Colleagues said she was “valued and highly regarded”. Her death was announced on May 7.

– Onyenachi Obasi, nurse and health visitor

Onyenachi Obasi, 51, was living in Barking and Dagenham at the time of her death.

The family of Onyenachi Obasi paid tribute to her dedication to nursing (Family handout)

Her niece, Ijeoma Uzoukwu, told the PA news agency: “She loved her job, but that is what caused her to fall ill in the first place.”

– Jennie Sablayan, haematology nurse

Ms Sablayan was described as a “much-loved specialist” who had trained in the Philippines before joining University College London Hospital in 2002. A GoFundMe, set up in her memory, said she died on May 5.

A fundraising page has been set up in memory of Jennie Sablayan (GoFundMe/PA)

Ms Edward died on May 4 with coronavirus, according to a Go Fund Me page for her family, having worked at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading since 2017.

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust commended her “kindness and dedication to her job”.

Julie Edward was a nurse in Berkshire (Screen grab/Go Fund Me)

His death was announced by Barts Health NHS Trust on Monday May 4.

– Mark Woolcock, ambulance care assistant

Mr Woolcock was one of four members of Barts Health NHS Trust to die after contracting Covid-19. His death was announced by the trust.

– Dr Habibhai Babu, senior house officer

The doctor, known to colleagues as Babu, worked at Whipps Cross Hospital. His death was announced by Barts Health NHS Trust.

– Lalaine Lopez Pesario, care home worker

Lalaine Lopez Pesario was a care worker who died on May 3 with Covid-19.

“Always smiling and laughing, she was a breath of fresh air. She will be dearly loved by the staff and the residents. We will miss her terribly,” Yolanda Jones, director of Mumbles Nursing Home, said, according to ITV.

Sue Cairns, care worker

The 58-year-old from Manston, Kent, died at Margate’s QEQM hospital on May 2, days after she developed a worrying cough and her condition worsened. She worked at a Kent care home for autistic adults with people she “absolutely adored”.

– Eleuterio Gibela, domestic services worker

The father of two, known by colleagues as Boy, died on Saturday May 2 after testing positive for the virus.

The 68-year-old and “true gentleman”had worked in domestic services at Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Trust for nearly 20 years.

Eleuterio Gibela (PA)
Dr Saad Al-Dubbaisi (NHS Bury CCG/PA)

Born in Iraq, Dr Al-Dubbaisi worked in the Greater Manchester town for almost 20 years, his daughter told the Bury Times.

– Mark Piggott, leadership team member

Father-of-two Mark Piggott was the head of capital projects and programmes at the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, a team based at the hospital, and had also worked for neighbouring trusts.

Described as “a great family man, a loving husband and fantastic dad” by his wife Julie, Mr Piggott died on May 1 having contracted coronavirus, according to the Health Service Journal.

Mark Piggott (Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust/PA)

Afua Fofie is described as having an “infectious laugh and willingness to go the extra mile” for patients and those she worked with.

Afua Fofie was a healthcare assistant at Teddington Memorial Hospital (Family handout/PA)

The 52-year-old paramedic had worked for the Scottish Ambulance Service for 28 years.

He died on May 2 with confirmed Covid-19 and was described as “an absolute gem of a man”.

– Ray Lever, domestic services assistant

Ray Lever was ‘perfect dad and grandad’ (Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

His daughters Rachel, Kathryn, and Rebecca said: “Dad was the perfect dad and grandad and nothing was ever too much trouble for him if it meant helping someone else.”

– Cecilia Fashanu, nurse

She was described by her family as “our superwoman” following her death.

She died at her workplace, Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, on April 30 after receiving critical care for a number of weeks.

The 63-year-old was employed as an agency nurse, covering shifts on a number of wards over the last two years.

– Dr Furqan Ali Siddiqui, doctor

“NHS hero” Dr Siddiqui died on April 30 while being treated for Covid-19, having worked at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester as a clinical fellow in its burns and plastics department.

Dr Siddiqui was described as an ‘NHS hero’ (Family handout/PA)

Gill Oakes was a senior clinical support nurse at Bolton Hospice – she died on April 30 after contracting coronavirus.

Leigh Vallance, the chief executive at Bolton Hospice, said: “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.”

– Philomina Cherian, nurse

(Joseph Varkey)

– Mark Stanley, paramedic

Yorkshire Ambulance Service said two of its staff had died within three days after contracting coronavirus.

The first, 57-year-old Mark Stanley from North Yorkshire, died in hospital on April 30. Mr Stanley’s friends said he was “such a great bloke” and extremely fit with no underlying health conditions.

Mark Stanley (Family handout/PA)

The second member of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service was an unnamed medical technician from West Yorkshire, who died in hospital on April 30.

Both colleagues “worked tirelessly for many years serving their local communities and were married with families”, the trust said in a statement.

– Suzanne Loverseed, care worker

Previously an ITU nurse, Ms Loverseed spent more recent years working in care homes.

In a blog post, her son Ian O’Neal wrote: “We might have had another twenty years with her; instead, we had to say goodbye via an ipad, unable to hold her hand.”

– Momudou Dibba, hospital housekeeper

Momudou ‘Mo’ Dibba (West Hertfordshire NHS Trust/PA)

“He would go above and beyond for everyone, organising staff leaving parties and supporting everyone in their roles. He will be sorely missed,” West Hertfordshire NHS Trust said.

– Mike Brown, hospital linen porter

The “well-recognised and popular” hospital linen porter had worked for 20 years for University Hospital Southampton (UHS) before his death in the early hours of April 29.

Mike Brown had worked as a hospital porter for 20 years (Family handout/PA)

Married well-recognised and popular father-of-three Dr Nasir Khan would “look for the slightest of excuses to help those in need,” according to his son Mahad Ali Khan.

Dr Khan was a locum doctor working at Dewsbury and District Hospital, who died on April 29 after contracting Covid-19.

Karen Hutton, care worker

The “much-loved” 58-year-old, who died on April 28 after testing positive for Covid-19, was employed as a staff nurse at Lochleven Care Home in Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

Karen Hutton died at home on April 28 (Thistle Healthcare/PA)

Mr Wright, 45, died on April 27 after contracting the virus, having most recently worked at the Royal Brompton Hospital.

Imperial College Healthcare Trust described him as an “inspiration” who “saved countless lives”.

Jermaine Wright was described as an ‘inspiration’ to those who knew him (Family handout/PA)
Also known as Ken, Kenneth Lambatan worked at St George’s Hospital (GoFundMe/PA)

St George’s Hospital, London, where he worked, said he was “described as a ‘true gem’ by those that knew him well”.

– Anujkumar Kuttikkottu Pavithran, nurse

Known as Kumar to his colleagues, Mr Pavithran was a staff nurse at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, where he was “very well-liked” according to a spokesman for his workplace. He died on April 27 having contracted Covid-19.

– Elma Cavalida, maternity assistant

The “bubbly” and “friendly” maternity assistant worked at Northwick Park Hospital and died on April 26 after contracting Covid-19.

She arrived in England 10 years ago from the Philippines according to a GoFundMe page set up by her husband.

Elma Cavalida arrived in the UK 10 years ago from the Philippinnes (GoFundMe/PA)

Mr Sana, 40, fell ill with Covid-19 while working at a private hospital which cares for people with neurodegenerative diseases in Newport, South Wales. He died on April 26.

Julius Sana (Belle Alcid/PA)

The hospital cleaner with a “heart of gold” died after contracting Covid-19 on April 26 at Queen’s Hospital in Burton-upon-Trent, where she had worked for the past 16 years.

Eileen Landers (University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Trust/PA)

The community staff nurse at Grindon Lane Primary Care Centre, Sunderland, “devoted her life to helping others” before she died on April 26 after testing positive for the virus.

Her family said she died “doing what she loved, working for the NHS and caring for those in need”.

– Jodon Gait, nurse

The 46-year-old had symptoms of Covid-19 before dying at home on April 25. He had been working for just over 12 months in the medical short stay unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, where he was described as “a dedicated, passionate, caring colleague”.

Dr Martin Mansell, consultant nephrologist

The kidney specialist, a consultant nephrologist at St Peter’s Hospitals, Middlesex Hospital and Royal Free Hospital, London, died after contracting Covid-19, the Renal Association announced.

According to a social media tribute by his daughter, Dr Mansell died on April 24.

– Dr Paul Kabasele, eye doctor

Known for his “warm, reassuring and generous nature”, Mr Kabasele worked for a decade as part of the eye care team at Croydon University Hospital before he died having contracted Covid-19 on April 24.

Paul Kabasele was an eye doctor (Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)

The “kind and cheery” father-of-two died in hospital on April 24 after being cared for by the team at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent, with whom he had worked for five years.

Adekunle Enitan (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust/PA)

The “much-loved” 66-year-old, who worked in the out-of-hours district nursing service for Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Halton, Cheshire, died on April 24 after contracting the virus, her employers said.

Janice Glassey, centre (Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust/PA)

A self-employed nurse in Nottingham, Ms Hurboda “made sacrifices to work abroad and moved to the UK to provide a better life and education for her family”.

– Tony Kabia, hospital security guard

Tony Kabia, a hospital security worker from Wythenshaw, Greater Manchester, “took pride in his work and brightened everyone’s day”, said health trust bosses. He died on April 23.

– Larni Zuniga, care home nurse

Mr Zuniga, who received his British citizenship in February, died on April 24 aged 54, at St Thomas’ Hospital in central London.

After arriving in the UK 12 years ago in a bid to make a better life for his family, according to a friend, he worked in the Surrey Hills care home in Godalming.

Larni Zuniga (CHD Living/PA)

Dr Vishna Rasiah, who worked as a “clinical lead” at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, died after contracting coronavirus, the trust announced on April 24.

His wife Liza said: “He treated every patient and family he cared for as his own. I couldn’t have been prouder of him.”

Consultant neonatologist Dr Vishna Rasiah (Birmingham Women and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust)

The 57-year-old died after being admitted to hospital with a dissecting aortic aneurysm. He was also found to have Covid-19, and died on April 23, according to a statement from DHU Health Care.

Stephen Bateman, chief executive of DHU Health Care, said: “Our thoughts are with Nenita, his partner, and his five brothers, sister and friends as they come to terms with their loss.”

– Sharon Scanlon, care worker

The “dedicated, hard-working” 58-year-old, a member of Powys County Council’s adult social care team in Mid Wales for four years, died of suspected Covid-19 on April 23. From Brecon, she was married and had two grown-up children and a granddaughter.

Sharon Scanlon was 58 (Powys County Council/PA)

The mother-of-four’s death was announced by her family on April 23.

In a tribute on GoFundMe, her children said: “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.”

– June Anderson, carer

Ms Anderson died on April 22 after contracting Covid-19, having worked for many years at James Dixon Court in Netherton, Merseyside, Sefton Council has confirmed.

– Mahadaye Jagroop, nurse

Also known as Mary, Ms Jagroop worked at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, where she died after contracting Covid-19 on April 22.

“Mary was a respected and loved member of our team and touched the lives of many in her distinguished career as a nurse,” said Lisa Stalley-Green, chief nurse at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

– Angie Cunningham, nurse

Angie Cunningham provided “amazing care” as a nurse for 30 years before she died at Borders General Hospital, where she worked, on April 22.

In a joint statement with NHS Borders Trust chief executive Ralph Roberts, Ms 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 Cunningham, an NHS Borders Trust nurse, died on April 22 (Family handout/PA)

The University of Southampton confirmed the death of Katy Davis, who worked in child health and was described by her colleagues as “a nurse people would aspire to be like”.

The 38-year-old had underlying health conditions and died on April 21 at Southampton General Hospital after testing positive for the virus.

– Melonie Mitchell, 111 worker

Ms Mitchell’s death was confirmed by the London Ambulance Service, where she worked. Chief executive Garrett Emmerson said she “will be greatly missed”.

– Medhat Atalla, consultant

The “hugely popular and respected” Dr Atalla died following treatment for coronavirus at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI), where he worked as a consultant geriatrician, the hospital said.

He moved to Britain from Egypt about 20 years ago and his colleagues said he cared for elderly people on three continents, including across the north of England.

Dr Medhat Atalla died following treatment for Covid-19 at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals/PA)

Ian Reynolds, 53, had worked as a paramedic for more than 30 years, and for the last eight had been working as a member of the Selhurst Park pitch-side medical team.

Crystal Palace Football Club paid tribute to him and said he was a “much-loved colleague” and friend.