Coronavirus kills second NHS nurse and mum-of-three, 38, as 9 medics now killed by bug
TWO NHS nurses have died from coronavirus - robbing six children of their hero mothers.
Aimee O'Rourke, 38, and Areema Nasreen, 36, sadly passed away after the pair were both treating patients.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Ms Nasreen, a mum-of-three who had no underlying health issues, died this morning where she worked at Walsall Manor Hospital in the West Midlands - after her sister urged everyone to "take this seriously".
Her death came just hours after fellow nurse and mum-of-three Ms O'Rourke, 38, died at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, Kent, where she worked.
A third nurse is today being treated in intensive care at Southend Hospital in Essex. The man, in his 60s, is on a ventilator.
And on Friday night, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that two other healthcare workers had sadly passed away.
Chief nursing officer Ruth May has paid tribute to medics who have died after contracting coronavirus, adding: "I worry that there is going to be more."
Aimee's heartbroken friends and family paid tribute and described her as “beautiful” and confirmed she died after “losing her fight to coronavirus”.
They wrote: "Aimee was a beautiful woman and a valued NHS nurse. Aimee caught the Covid-19 virus and sadly lost her fight to coronavirus.
"Please give as much as you can to help Aimee's family, just as Aimee gave her life to make sure other people survived this virus."
It comes as:
- Co-op worker critical in hospital ‘with coronavirus’ after serving shoppers
- Prince Charles opens coronavirus hospital NHS Nightingale
- Mountains of rubbish dumped in streets as Brits hold coronavirus clear-outs
- NHS heroes thanked for sacrificing their lives
- Brits may get ‘immunity wristbands’ to wear after coronavirus tests
Aimee's daughter Megan added: “It was us 4 against the world!
"Now us 3 will pull together more than ever!!! Look at all the lives you looked after and all the family’s you comforted when patients passed away.
"You are an angel and you will wear your NHS crown forever more because you earned that crown the very first day you started!!!
"Your Meggy misses you beyond belief.. one day when I have children of my own I will tell your grandchildren about their GG (glamorous gran) which you wanted to be called, every single day!
"I can’t believe one day I will have to go through labour without my mummy!!
"I could go on all day long and have so many things to say but I have to be strong!! Night night mummy."
Your Meggy misses you beyond belief. One day when I have children of my own I will tell your grandchildren about their GG (glamorous gran) which you wanted to be called, every single day!
Aimee's daughter Megan
Mr Hancock today paid tribute to the NHS staff who have died while serving the nation.
He said: "It shows the incredible bravery of every member of the NHS who goes into work knowing that these dangers are there. And I think the whole nation is grateful."
Married nurse Areema, from Walsall, tested positive for Covid-19 after developing a soaring temperature, body aches and a cough and ended up on a ventilator in hospital.
Her condition improved slightly last week however she sadly died in the early hours of this morning.
Aimee and Areema became the sixth and seventh confirmed deaths of an NHS worker from coronavirus. Later, it was announced that two healthcare assistants had sadly passed away.
A relative of Areema told Black Country Live: "The immediate family are devastated. Everyone is in shock this morning.
"She was always so full of life. She was devoted to her job as a nurse, she absolutely loved it. She passed away doing what she loved.
"DANGEROUS"
"I'm really sad for the rest of the family, she was a fantastic person."
Her sister, Kazeema Nasreen, who works as a healthcare assistant at the same hospital, said she "wants everyone to know how dangerous this is".
The 22-year-old said her sister, from Walsall, was on annual leave when she first started showing symptoms and said she was "fit and healthy".
Speaking to Birmingham Live while her sister was still in hospital, Kazeema warned people to "take coronavirus seriously".
She said: "I want everyone to know how dangerous this is. My sister is only 36 and is normally fit and healthy.
"People are not taking this seriously enough. She is young - it is not just the elderly who are at risk.
"Areema loves the NHS. Her colleagues are like a second family and they have been truly amazing with her - and us."
She qualified as a staff nurse in January last year and worked at the hospital's acute medical unit.
Areema had previously said she'd wanted to be a nurse since she was a teenager, after caring for her nan who suffered a stroke.
She worked for the NHS for 16 years.
Areema said: “I just wanted to be able to look after people, particularly those who are elderly and vulnerable.
"I cry every morning because I am so happy that I have finally realised my dream of becoming a nurse."
Her heartbroken friend Rubi Aktar said she was a “lovely, genuine person”.
She wrote: "She was the most loveliest, genuine person you could ever meet, she went above and beyond for everyone she met.
"I’m so grateful that I had the honour to call her my best friend, she saw me at my best and my worst and accepted my every flaw. I am so broken that words can’t explain.
"I can’t believe I will not see your smile again.
"You made me the nurse that I am today, with your support, motivation and inspiration I am the nurse that I am today and I hope I can do you proud Areema.
"I love you so much and I will never forget you. You had so much to live for, I am sorry you didn’t get to see your kids grow up and I’m sorry that you didn’t get to complete your career."
Matt Hancock said today: "I pay tribute to the NHS staff who've died serving the NHS, serving the nation.
"It shows the incredible bravery of every member of the NHS who goes into work knowing that these dangers are there.
"I think it is a testament to every doctor and nurse and paramedic and other health professional who is working in the NHS in these difficult times.
"And I think the whole nation is grateful."
The other five doctors to have died after contracting coronavirus include 68-year-old Dr Alfa Sa'adu, mental health nurse Thomas Harvey and Dr Amged El-Hawrani, 55.
Mr Harvey, 57, had expressed concern about the lack of protective equipment for frontline workers, according to his family.
He was an experienced nurse, who had dedicated more than 20 years of his life to the NHS before his tragic death on Sunday 29 March.
His 19-year-old daughter Tamira says that he was "let down" and his death could have been prevented.
Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, is believed to have been the first doctor in the UK to have been killed by Covid-19 and Dr Adil El Tayar, 63, passed away shortly after.
Last night, Brits loudly applauded NHS heroes for putting their lives on the line to fight coronavirus.
Millions of people came to their front doors and onto balconies to proudly clap for those on the frontline - as the quarantined Prime Minister joined the salute.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
The PM told those gathered outside: "I am not allowed out really, I am just standing here."
Police officers and firefighters sounded their sirens to show their appreciation, as other medics grinned and applauded outside their hospitals.
The first emotional Clap For Carers took place on Thursday, March 26, and is expected to continue on a weekly basis.
ITV paused its programming as part of the tribute while Brits - including celebs like David Beckham, Paddy McGuiness and Rita Ora - whooped and cheered on the NHS and frontline key workers.
Last week millions cheered and set off fireworks to celebrate all those helping the country stay afloat.
Earlier Health Secretary Matt Hancock, speaking publicly for the first time since catching the killer bug, also paid tribute to them.
MOST READ IN NEWS
He told medics: "Many of those who died from the NHS were people who came to this country to make a difference - and they did, and they've given their lives in sacrifice and we salute them."
It comes after the coronavirus pandemic reached a grim milestone with the number of people infected worldwide soaring past one million.
Yesterday, the UK coronavirus death toll shot up by 569 to 2,961 people - including 44 with no underlying health conditions.
