Faces of nurses who have died during the coronavirus pandemic pop up

Fifty frontline NHS staff members have died during the coronavirus pandemic.

Some of those include doctors and nurses who have come out of retirement to help fight the deadly virus which has brought the United Kingdom (UK) to a standstill.

Hospitals have been likened to warzones as medics desperately fight to save every possible life.

Covid-19 has claimed more than 13,000 lives so far in the UK but that figure is expected to increase in the coming days and weeks.

Doctors and nurses and healthcare assistants have complained of a chronic shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

This is despite repeated vows by the Government to ensure all the medics who need to be protected from the highly-contagious bug have it.

On Sunday morning Business Secretary Alok Sharma refused to apologise specifically over the supply of PPE, saying that he was “sorry for the loss of any life during this pandemic.”

1. Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, 28, underwent an emergency caesarean to deliver and save her baby daughter at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, where she worked. She did not survive and died on April 12.

1. A message on a GoFundMe page described Mary as ‘loving, caring and irreplaceable’.
2. Melujean Ballesteros Melujean Ballesteros, 60, was a kindhearted nurse who committed her life to her profession. Fellow nurse Faz Ghooloo, who also works at St Mary’s Hospital, wrote an emotional tribute on a GoFundMe page set up to pay for her colleague’s funeral. She said: “Melujean was a kind-hearted person who dedicated her life to her profession as a nurse. She always had a smile and she never complained about anything.”

1. Maureen Ellington Grandmother Maureen Ellington, who worked at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, died on April 12.Mrs Ellington, who was in her early 60s, had worked for the NHS for over 25 years at both Frenchay and Southmead hospitals.Her family said in a statement: “We are heartbroken to lose the pillar of our family at this time. She was simply amazing.
2. “She loved her husband, five children, six grandchildren, wider family, friends and colleagues.”(Image: BristolLive/BPM Media).

1. Donna CampbellDonna, a mum of two, worked at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff.In a tribute a spokesperson said: “Donna has worked at the cancer centre for many years, initially as a volunteer.” All the staff at Velindre, and particularly her team on First Floor Ward, are completely heartbroken that their beautiful, kind-hearted friend and colleague has died.” She was a healthcare support worker and died at the University Hospital Wales in Cardiff on April 10.

1. Andy Treble was a theatre assistant at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in Wales.The 57-year-old had worked at Wrexham Maelor Hospital for almost 40 years and was well-loved by his colleagues.His sister, Maria Molloy, described her brother as a ‘kind man’ who dedicated his life to his profession, and ‘always had a smile on his face’.She said: “Andy absolutely loved working at the Maelor, his colleagues were his other family. “He had a very kind nature and always put everyone else before himself. He was always laughing and smiling, he was such a good man.”He died at the hospital where he worked on April 15.

1. Kevin Smith A plaster technician at Doncaster Royal Infirmary Kevin Smith had worked for the NHS for 35 years going back to the 1980s.The chief executive of his NHS trust said on April 12 that Kev “was renowned for his warm personality, diligence and compassion. He will be missed beyond all measure by everyone at the Trust.”

1. Elbert Rico and colleague Oscar King Jr were described as “popular and hard-working” members of the team at the John Radcliffe hospital.Both men were married to members of the nursing team at the hospital, the trust said.He worked as a porter in JR Hospital since he came to the UK in 2004. He died on April 10. A GoFundMe has been set up for him.

1. Oscar King Jr Like his colleague he was married to a nurse at the John Radcliffe Hospital where he worked as a porter. A GoFundMe set up in his name said he was “a beloved friend, loving husband, and devoted father to his only daughter, 10-year old Gaby”.Oscar worked at the hospital in Oxford for more than 10 years.His wife is said to be suffering severe coronavirus symptoms.He died on April 11 at the age of 45.

1. Dr Edmond AdedejiDr Adedeji, 62, worked as a locum registrar in the emergency department of Great Western Hospital in Swindon, Wiltshire.A spokesman for the hospital said he was a “respected and well-liked member of the team”.He died on April 8.Read more about him here.(Image: GWH / SWNS)9 of 50

1. Jitendra RathodMr Rathod, a dad-of-two, was considered one of the leading cardiothoracic surgeons in Wales.The 58-year-old was described as an “incredibly dedicated surgeon” who cared deeply for his patients.He died on April 6.Read more about him here.(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE).
2. Dr Fayez AyacheDr Ayache worked for the NHS in Suffolk for more than 40 years,A grandfather Dr Ayache retired two years ago but still worked a few days a week according to his eldest daughter.The 72-year-old died on April 8.Read more about him here.(Image: PA).
3. Abdul Mabud ChowdhuryA consultant urologist, Mr Chowdhury, 53, wrote a Facebook post asking Prime Minister Boris Johnson to urgently provide every NHS worker with PPE.His son described him as a ‘man of the people’.He died on April 8.(Image: Facebook).

1. Sara TrollopeMrs Trollope was a proud matron who once posed with Boris Johnson. At 55 she had dedicated her entire 33-year career to the NHS and was just months from retirement when she died from coronavirus. A close friend of the “devoted” health worker said the job that she loved so much ended up costing her life.
2. Leilani DayritSister Leilani Dayrit, 47, who was based at St Cross Hospital in Rugby, had been self-isolating at home for seven days before she died.Her teenage daughter said: “My mum was selfless until the very end,” adding she “put other people’s wellbeing before her own”.She died on April 7.

1. Areema NasreenMrs Nasreen had worked for the NHS for 16 years and qualified as a nurse last year saying it was her ‘dream’.Areema’s sister said she was ‘fit and healthy’ before the diagnosis with no underlying conditions.She died on April 2 in intensive care at Walsall Manor Hospital in the West Midlands.She was a mum-of-three. (Image: BPM Media).

1. Aimee O’RourkeAimee O’Rourke, 39, was a mum of three who worked in the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Kent.Colleagues described her as a nurse who was “determined to provide the best possible care to all of her patients and continued to come to work at a time when others were staying at home and inside”. She died on April 2.(Image: Internet Unknown).

1. Cheryl WilliamsCheryl Williams was remembered as a “much-loved colleague” by her hospital. She who worked as a housekeeper on an elderly patient ward at North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton, north London. Sharing a picture of Ms Williams on Facebook, the NHS trust said her contribution to patient care at the hospital was “irreplaceable”. North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust said: “As a ward housekeeper on one of our care of the elderly wards, Cheryl was a lynchpin of the care, comfort, and compassion that our patients and local people value so highly, and her personal contribution to patient care is irreplaceable.”She died on April 12.(Image: PA).

1. Rebecca MackRebecca Mack, a 29-year-old nurse, had worked in the children’s cancer unit at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary before leaving to take up other roles in the health sector.It is believed she was not dealing with patients directly before becoming ill.She died alone on April 5.(Image: Facebook).
2. Donald SueltoDonald Suelto, who worked at Hammersmith Hospital in west London, died after going into self-isolation with coronavirus symptoms, friend and fellow NHS nurse Alejandro Fernandez said.Last month, Mr Suelto had changed his Facebook profile picture to an image of him wearing a protective mask emblazoned with the words: “I can’t stay at home, I’m a healthcare worker.” (Image: NursingNotesUK/Twitter).
3. Kit Tag OngHong Kong-born Alice Kit Tag Ong, who arrived in the UK in the 1970s, was described by her daughter Melissa as “completely dedicated”. Mrs Ong was just 23 when she came to London to study nursing and at 70 was still working full-time at two surgeries.She died on April 7. (Image: Melissa Ong).

1. John Alagos John, an NHS nurse, is reported to have  died after working a 12-hour shift treating coronavirus patients at Watford General Hospital.After returning home from work on Friday following a night shift, the 23-year-old complained about suffering from a headache and a high temperature throughout the night, his mother told the The Mail on Sunday.He died on April 3. (Image: Internet Unknown).

1. Elsie SazuzeElsie, a care home nurse, had symptoms of Covid-19 before she died, having fallen ill at her home in Birmingham.Her husband Ken, who is training to be a nurse, said she told him before she was put on a ventilator to be “strong and to stay strong for the kids”. She died on April 7.
2. Lynsay CoventryA midwife and a grandmother Lynsay had worked for the Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust (PAHT) in Harlow, Essex, for 10 years. Colleagues highlighted Ms Coventry’s “professionalism and commitment” to the hundreds of women she had supported.Her death was announced on April 5.(Image: UNPIXS (Europe).
3. Janice GrahamThe 58-year-old nurse was remembered by colleagues past and present for her “kindness and compassion”.Her son said: “My mum was there for me no matter what. I will miss everything about her.”Ms Graham, a health care support worker and district nurse, died at Inverclyde Royal Hospital on April 6.(Image: Graham Family).

1. Thomas Harvey – The 57-year-old Mr Harvey was a nurse for the NHS who worked at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford, north-east London. Police officers had to break down a door to retrieve his body after he died alone in self -isolation.A dad of seven, he died at home on March 29.Read more about him here.(Image: GoFundMe)25 of 50138208691645

1. Josiane Zauma Ebonja EkoliJosiane Ekoli was a mum of five who worked as an agency nurse at Harrogate District Hospital.In a tribute, her daughter Naomie said: “It meant everything to be a nurse, she’s being doing it for as long as I remember – more than 30 years.”The 55-year-old was admitted to hospital on April 7 after falling ill and died on April 13.26 of 50
2. Glen CorbinA retired mental health worker, Mr Corbin was said to have been looking forward to his 60th birthday.He had worked at the Park Royal Centre for Mental Health in Harlesden, north-west London, for more than 25 years.He died on April 4.27 of 50
3. Catherine SweeneyThe family of Mrs Sweeney said she was devoted to serving the most vulnerable.In a statement her family remembered a “wonderful mother, sister, and beloved aunty”.She died in the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley on April 3.(Image: PA)28 of 50
4. Dr Habib ZaidiDr Zaidi was one of the first doctors in the UK to die from Covid-19.His daughter, Dr Sarah Zaidi previously said his death was “reflective of his sacrifice” and he had a “vocational attitude to service”.Dr Zaidi had been a GP in Leigh-on-Sea for more than 45 years.He died at Southend Hospital, Essex, on March 25.Read more about him here.29 of 50
5. Dr Eric Labeja-AcellamDr Eric Labeja-Acellam, 69, worked at at University Hospital Lewisham in London.Originally from Uganda he is said to have lost his fight on March 31 at King’s College Hospital.His wife Jennifer Lawala, a well-known musician in her native Uganda, and their son Oscar Acellam also contracted Covid-19, according to reports. You can read more about him here.(Image: Twitter).

1. Dr Amged El-HawraniDr El-Hawrani was an ear, nose and throat consultant with University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.His family thanked his NHS colleagues for working “tirelessly” to save him.He died at the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on March 28.(Image: PA).
2. Dr Adil El TayarAdil El Tayar had worked around the world including in Saudi Arabia, Sudan as well as at St Mary’s and St George’s hospitals in London.The 63-year-old is thought to have been the first working NHS surgeon to die in the UK from coronavirus. He died on March 25 at West Middlesex University Hospital in Isleworth, west London. (Image: BBC).
3. Dr Alfa SaaduThe 68-year-old had returned to work from retirement.He had been a medical director at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Essex and Ealing NHS Trust and worked at many hospitals in the capital.His son said: “He was a very passionate man, who cared about saving people.”He died on March 31.(Image: Family Handout)33 of 50
4. Professor Sami Shousha – The 79-year-old worked at UK cancer research laboratories at London’s Hammersmith and Charing Cross hospitals since 1978.He worked as a consultant and his nephew said his work “did not involve direct contact with Covid-19 patients”.He died on April 2.(Image: Internet unknown).
5. Anton Sebastianpillai – The consultant geriatrician, who qualified as a doctor in Sri Lanka in 1967, finished his last shift on March 20.Acting Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey tweeted it was “very sad news” and said he had been “privileged” to meet Dr Sebastianpillai, calling him a “hugely respected” consultant and author.He died on April 4.(Image: PA).
6. Barbara Moore – The 54-year-old was was a patient discharge planner at Aintree University Hospital on Merseyside. Her family said in a statement: “Barbara dedicated her life to caring for others and doted on her two beautiful children and grandchildren.”She died on April 6(Image: Liverpool Echo).
7. Dr Syed Haider – A family doctor the 79-year-old Dr Haider worked in Dagenham, east London.”Our father was a selfless and compassionate doctor for over 50 years,” his daughter told the BBC.He is thought to have died on April 6.(Image: Collect unknown).
8. Amor Gatinao – Amor, 50, came to the UK in 2002 and worked at St Charles hospital in London.A mum of three she has been remembered as “a warrior”.Her daughter Allysa Gatinao, 24, said: “There is a shortage of PPE in hospitals. Matt Hancock can’t deny this as the evidence is there.”She died after falling ill on Mother’s Day.
9. Emily Perugia – The 29-year-old was a member of the Care Connection Team in Northwood for the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.She was described as a “devoted professional” who helped organised vital care packages for people in her community.She was recently engaged and is thought to have died on March 31.(Image: Facebook).

1. Liz GlanisterLiz, pictured in the middle, worked at the Aintree University Hospital as a staff nurse.The regional director said: “Nurses like Liz are on the frontline in this fight and when they succumb to Covid 19, it feels especially cruel.”The 68-year-old died on April 3.
2. Pooja SharmaPooja Sharma died a day after her father Sudhir passed away.The 33-year-old had worked at the East Sussex at Eastbourne District General Hospital.Friend Amarjit Aujla wrote on Facebook: “Life can never be the same without you my dear friend.”She died on March 26.
3. Gareth Roberts Gareth Roberts had worked as a nurse at sites across the health board since the 1980s, coming out of retirement in January 2015.In a statement, the health board said he was “extremely popular, fun-filled and well-liked”, while staff said he was a “kind and helpful person”.Mr Roberts died at the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.
4. Rahima Bibi Sidhanee Rahima Bibi Sidhanee was a care home nurse who trained at Edgware General Hospital in the 1970s. She had worked at Grennell Lodge Nursing Home for over 30 years, was admitted to hospital a week ago and died on April 12.In a tribute the director of Care Unlimited, which operates the privately-owned care home in Sutton, south London, raised concerns about a lack of testing for staff in the social care sector. Danny Shamtally said: “Rahima loved nursing and the people she cared for, their happiness was of great importance to her and she would go above and beyond in her delivery of care.”
5. Julie OmarA mum-of-one Julie Omar had most recently been working as a sister on Ward 14 at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital. Mrs Omar, who was married to husband Laith and had a daughter, was a “dedicated and highly experienced trauma and orthopaedics nurse”, who had worked with the trauma team at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, the trust added.The 52-year-old had been self-isolating at home but her condition deteriorated and she died at home on April 10.

1. Leilani MedelLeilani Medel was a 41-year-old agency nurse who lived in Bridgend, Wales. Leilani’s daughter has been taken into foster care with her husband also seriously ill with Covid-19.Her death was reported on April 10.A GoFundMe has been set up for her family.You can read more about her here.(Image: Twitter).
2. Dr Peter TunFather-of-two Dr Peter Tun worked as an associate specialist in neurorehabilitation at the Royal Berkshire Hospital for more than 21 years.”Our family is immensely proud of our superhero dad,” his sons said in a statement.”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.”The 62-year-old died in the intensive care unit at the hospital in Reading on April 13.(Image: Twitter).
3. Amarante DiasAmarante Dias, a staff member at the Weston General Hospital in north Somerset, was described as a “valued and much-loved colleague” who would be “greatly missed”.Dr William Oldfield, medical director at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said Mr Dias was “a valued and much-loved” colleague.(Image: Google Street View).
4. Lourdes CampbellLourdes Campbell worked for the Bolton NHS Foundation Trust as a healthcare assistant.She died on the critical care unit at Royal Bolton Hospital after contracting the virus. In a statement published on Thursday, chief executive of the trust Fiona Noden said: “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.”(Image: Bolton NHS Foundation Trust).
5. Brian Darlington Brian Darlington, a hospital porter with Mid Cheshire Hospitals, was known for handing out sweets to his colleagues.His wife Ava said: “We were married for 46 years and Brian was a great husband, as well as father and grandfather.” He was dedicated to the trust, and as a family we are grateful for and appreciative of all of the kind words and messages we have seen and received.” He died at Leighton Hospital after contracting Covid-19.(Image: Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust).

1. Ade Raymond Ade Raymond was a student nurse and worked part-time as a healthcare assistant. He is remembered by his devastated colleagues as a “compassionate” and “inspirational” man who had “always wanted to become a nurse”. Mr Raymond was working at Barnet, Enfield and Haringey (BEH) Mental Health Trust in the capital. His death was confirmed on April 15.