Filipino nurse who died from suspected coronavirus was a ‘ray of sunshine’

Leilani Dayrit worked at St Cross Hospital in Rugby (Picture: PA)

Tributes have been paid to a Filipino nurse who died after contracting Covid-19.

Leilani Dayrit, who was known as ‘Mummy Lei’ and worked at St Cross Hospital in Rugby, died on Tuesday.

A GoFundMe page set up in her memory said she had worked for the NHS for 16 years and described her as a ‘ray of sunshine to those people who were fortunate to meet her’.

Her daughter Mary added in a statement: ‘My mum was selfless until the very end and made sure to spread joy, happiness and love to anyone that ever needed it.

‘A truly special and beautiful person inside and out.’

Filipino hospital porters Oscar King Jr and Elbert Rico also died after contracting suspected coronavirus.

Leilani Dayrit died on Tuesday (Picture: PA)

The men were described as ‘popular and hard-working’ members of the team at the city’s John Radcliffe hospital.

Both of them were married to members of the nursing team at the hospital, the trust said.

Fundraising pages were also set up in the names of King Jr and Rico following their deaths.

King Jr, believed to have worked at the hospital for ten years, was described as a ‘beloved friend, loving husband, and devoted father’ to his ten-year-old daughter.

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His wife had also been taken to hospital after suffering severe symptoms, according to the GoFundMe page.

A page set up for Mr Rico said he had worked for the hospital since coming to the UK in 2004, adding that he ‘loved the work that he did’.

The crowdfunder said: ‘He was always hard 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.’

Hospital porter Elbert Rico (R) also died from suspected coronavirus (Picture: GoFundMe)

Plaster technician Kevin Smith, who worked at Doncaster Royal Infirmary for more than 35 years, has also died after contracting coronavirus.

Richard Parker, chief executive at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: ‘I am utterly heartbroken to share the news that Kevin Smith, a well-respected and hugely popular member of our team, has sadly passed away following a brief, but courageous, battle with Covid-19.’

A Commons library report published last year found that more than 18,000 Filipinos work in the NHS, third only to the numbers from Britain and India.

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