Two more NHS staff have died after contracting coronavirus, including a Welsh nurse who came out of retirement to help during the crisis.
Grandfather Gareth Roberts, 63, was described as a ‘much-loved and dedicated’ member of the health team working at a number of hospitals around Cardiff, while highly experienced trauma and orthopaedics nurse Julie Omar died while self-isolating.
It comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock had this morning put the death toll for NHS workers in Britain at 19. It is not clear if the pair are the 20th and 21st members.
Mr Roberts is the second confirmed health worker in Wales to die following a Covid-19 diagnosis after leading heart surgeon Jitendra Rathod died on Monday.
(Picture: Wales News Service)
Married Mr Roberts worked for the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, who said he died at the neighbouring Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.
Meanwhile, mum-of-one Ms Omar had most recently been working as a sister on Ward 14 at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital, the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said.
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In a message to colleagues, Trust chief executive Matthew Hopkins said the 52-year-old would be known to many staff at its Worcester site from her time with the trauma team there.
Mr Hopkins’ message read: ‘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.
‘Julie had been self-isolating at home after developing symptoms of Covid-19, but sadly her condition deteriorated and she died at home yesterday (Friday) morning.’
Adding that she was survived by a husband and grown-up daughter, he continued: ‘We have been asked by her family not to share any more details at this stage and we will of course respect those wishes.’
In a statement, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said of Mr Roberts: ‘Gareth had been part of our nursing family since the 1980’s and worked across our hospital sites.’
It added ‘Gareth was well known by everyone and was an extremely popular, fun-filled and well liked person, always greeting everyone with – “Hello Cariad” when he saw them.’
Cariad is the Welsh word for darling or sweetheart – and was a favourite of Gareth.
Mr Roberts is survived by his wife, son and grandson.
The Royal College of Nursing Wales said it’s ‘devastating to lose one of our nursing professionals in this manner.’
A spokesperson added: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear the news that a nurse in Wales has died from COVID19.
‘I’d like to extend my deepest sympathies to the nurse’s family, friends and colleagues.
‘Their commitment and dedication has been unflinching. It is devastating to lose one of our nursing professionals in this manner.’
Meanwhile, Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital announced that two porters married to members of the nursing teams, have also died. It is unclear if they had Covid-19.
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