Hero nurse, 38, fighting for her life after treating coronavirus patients ‘without PPE’
NHS hero Becky Usher, 38, is in intensive care where she is in an induced coma and relying on a ventilator to breathe.
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Becky tested positive for the deadly coronavirus after not being provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) while treating a patient at Dewsbury and District Hospital.
Staff reportedly did not know the patient had coronavirus as the nurse treated them unprotected for two days.
She developed a high temperature and a sore throat on Sunday, April 5.
The NHS nurse then suffered breathing difficulties at her home in Heckmondwicke, West Yorks, on Tuesday, April 7.
Her concerned partner Martin Parker called 111 as she began to slur her words, and paramedics rushed her to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.
Becky's family have said they are "heartbroken" as they are unable to join her in hospital - fearing they may never see her again.
She is described as in a critical but stable condition.
Her sister Kelly called her a "fighter" who "risked her health for others" in the battle against coronavirus.
She said Becky did not have PPE at the time - but believes it has now been delivered to all staff.
It comes as health secretary Matt Hancock hailed 19 NHS heroes who have died fighting the pandemic.
Speaking last night, Mr Hancock said: "The fact that such a high proportion are from people that moved to this country to work for the NHS is really heart-rending.
“To see people who have literally given their lives for the NHS who were moved here to give that service and I think we should pay tribute to them.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel yesterday apologised to NHS workers over PPE at the Government’s daily press briefing, saying: “I am sorry if people feel there have been failings.
“It is inevitable that the demand and pressures on PPE and the demand for PPE are going to be exponential, they are going to be incredibly high.”
Britain is believed to be heading towards the peak of the outbreak, suffering its deadliest day on Friday with 980 deaths.
Meanwhile, an 11-year-old child became the UK's youngest victim of the outbreak as a further 917 died yesterday and 657 died today.
And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital after being treated in intensive care due to the coronavirus.