CORONAVIRUS CRISIS: UK Health and Care Worker Deaths Rises to 129

Byline Times and Nursing Notes collaborate to record all the staff across the country who have lost their lives during the battle against COVID-19.

The number of frontline health and care workers known to have died while battling the Coronavirus crisis in the UK has increased to 129, Byline Times and Nursing Notes have learned.

Figures published by Nursing Notes on 27 April confirmed that a total of 134 staff have now lost their lives while tackling the virus, but five brave health and care personnel have so far not been named – including two nurses.

The figures published today represent an increase of 27 fatalities since last Monday, marking another sad week for UK health and care professionals.

Those who have died since last Monday include Dr Sadeq Elhowsh, an orthopaedic surgeon at Whiston Hospital in north-west England. The 58-year-old father-of-four worked locally for 17 years and was described by colleagues and family as a “much loved” figure.

Byline Times and Nursing Notes have linked up to provide a weekly tribute to all frontline health and care staff who have lost their lives during the UK’s Coronavirus pandemic. Nursing Notes also updates its memorial page on a daily basis. The page can be found here.

Nursing Notes has also set up the NN Health and Social Care Emergency Aid Fund, sponsoring both the Cavell Nurses’ Trust and RCN Foundation to ensure that aid can quickly reach staff affected by COVID-19. Byline Times will donate to the fund and is encouraging others to do so.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock today announced that NHS death-in-service benefits will be extended to all health and care staff who die after contracting COVID-19, the disease which develops from the Coronavirus.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of the health sector’s biggest trade union, Unison, said: “It’s only right the families of all those who worked for the NHS or in social care, and who’ve sadly lost their lives to the virus, are properly provided for.”

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