NHS worker for Royal Preston Hospital dies after contracting Covid-19

Members of staff reacted to the "heartbreaking news" announced today (May 6) that one of their colleagues has died after contracting coronavirus.

At the request of their family, friends and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, their identity has been kept private.

This is the second reported death of an NHS worker in Lancashire.

Eleuterio ‘Boy’ Gibela, who worked for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS for almost 20 years, was the first reported death.

He died at the age of 68 on May 2, leaving behind his wife Deborah and two daughters Louella Anne and Kristiana.

Kevin McGee, Chief Executive, Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: "It is with deep regret and huge sadness that I share with you the devastating news that we have lost a friend and colleague to the terrible Covid-19 virus.

"Eleuterio was a valued, well respected member of the team who will be greatly missed by all of us and we send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Deborah and daughters Louella Anne and Kristiana.

"This is a terrible and poignant reminder of the situation we are facing every day to help others and I want to thank every member our staff for their continued care for our patients and community. Their continued courage and commitment to duty is inspirational and a comfort to us all in these difficult times."

A book of condolence has been placed in the chaplaincy at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

To access an online version, click HERE.

More than 150 frontline NHS and care workers have died during the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile the UK death toll provided by the Department of Health, which includes hospitals, care homes and the wider community, increased by 649 to 30,076 today.

The death toll in England's hospitals rose by 331 to 22,049.