A nurse who died of coronavirus shortly after giving birth to a baby girl reportedly lost her dad to a suspected case of the illness less than two weeks before.
Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, 28, who worked as a nurse on a general ward at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, passed away on Sunday after undergoing an emergency cesarean to save her daughter.
The medic’s father Stephen had died from suspected Covid-19 a fortnight earlier, according to a family friend. Mary’s step-mother and Stephen’s widow told MailOnline: ‘My head is hurting. My husband died and then my daughter. I have lost two lovely people in my life.
Mary’s brother said it was a ‘very hard time’ for the family and they needed time to grieve. Tributes have poured online since the NHS nurse’s death was reported on Wednesday. Family friend Phyllis Agyekum wrote: ‘My lovely young girl and University mate. May your perfect soul rest in perfect peace. You were a kind hearted and ambitious young lady.
‘You were a daughter to us all very supportive and serviceable who respect and above all, a lover of God. ‘You lost your father 10 days ago and you are also gone today.
What a shock how can a father and a daughter die within 10 days. ‘My dear daughter may the Almighty God save your soul in heaven till we all meet again, ‘RIP Mary Agyapong a wife and a mother of two children.’
The NHS Trust’s chief executive, David Carter said the baby girl’s survival was a ‘beacon of light at this very dark time’. He said:
‘It is with great sadness that I can confirm the death of one of our nurses, Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, who passed away on Sunday 12th April. ‘
Mary worked here for five years and was a highly valued and loved member of our team, a fantastic nurse and a great example of what we stand for in this Trust.
‘She tested positive for Covid-19 after being tested on 5th of April and was admitted to the hospital on the 7th April.
