A father-of-eight has died unexpectedly after it looked as though he was recovering from the coronavirus.
Construction worker Nicu Urzica, who was only 34 and lived in London, was set to be discharged from hospital when he took a turn for the worst.
Now his wife Lidia and eight young children, aged between six months and 12, are facing life without him.
To date generous well-wishers have raised over £90,000 for his devastated young family.
Construction worker Nicu Urzica, (pictured) who was only 34 and lived in London was set to be discharged from hospital when he took a turn for the worst
Mr Urzica who was from Transylvania in Romania, had spent 10 days in hospital after he came down with symptoms that he initially thought were caused by a cold.
He had spent a week at home for ‘the cold’ and had returned to work but after two days he became ill again and felt like he couldn’t breathe.
Mr Urzica (bottom left) and family members in a photo posted in a relative’s tribute
According to Mr Urzica’s brother, Ianis, who spoke to Obiectiv, he was put on oxygen and admitted to intensive care in a serious condition.
Ianis said: ‘After a week in ICU he was moved to a [different] ward and they were even discussing a discharge, when suddenly the situation changed.
‘His condition worsened. It seems he suffered some blood clots.’
Mr Urzica died on April 11 after suffering a heart attack, Ioan Pavel, the mayor of his home town, told Realitatea.
His family is trying to bring his body home while planning a funeral in Romania.
The father-of-eight was a devote church goer and a GoFundMe page has been set up by the Romanian Pentecostal Church Emanuel in Edgware, north-west London.
The page stated: ‘God has called home brother Nicu Urzica, 34, the father of eight children.
‘The youngest child is six months old and the eldest child is 10 years old.
‘We want this money to be a help to the funeral of brother Nicu as well as to sister Lidia and the eight orphaned children left behind by their father.
‘Brother Nicu Urzica served as a singer in the groups and choirs of Emanuel Church, being a devoted brother to the works of the Lord and his family.
‘Please donate to this family. Lidia and their eight children need your help in this difficult time.’
The father-of-eight was a devote church goer and a GoFundMe page has been set up by the Romanian Pentecostal Church Emanuel in Edgware, north-west London
The number of UK coronavirus cases currently stand at 98,476. The death toll on Wednesday reached 12,868.
It comes as yet more healthcare workers died from the pandemic bringing the death toll among staff to 45.
Nurse Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, died on Sunday. But her baby was successfully delivered and is doing well, according to the hospital.
David Carter, chief executive of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Mary worked here for five years and was a highly valued and loved member of our team, a fantastic nurse and a great example of what we stand for in this trust.
‘She tested positive for Covid-19 after being tested on 5th of April and was admitted to the hospital on the 7th April.
‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mary’s family and friends at this sad time.’
While father-of-two Dr Peter Tun, 62, died in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Reading on Monday.
Another victim, Ade Raymond, 48, had been working as a healthcare assistant for the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust before he died.
And Cheryl Williams, who worked as a housekeeper on an elderly patient ward at North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton, north London, died on Easter Sunday.
At least 40 NHS staff have died during the outbreak after testing positive although it is not known how many contracted the virus due to inadequate supplies of PPE.
Nurse Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, died on Sunday. But her baby was successfully delivered and is doing well, according to the hospital
Father-of-two Dr Peter Tun, who worked as an associate specialist in neurorehabilitation at the Royal Berkshire Hospital for more than 21 years, passed away on Monday
Tributes have been paid to Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, with colleagues of the woman saying she was ‘a fabulous nurse, and a great example of what we stand for’.
The Trust’s chief executive described her as a ‘wonderful young woman who made a huge contribution’, according to Channel 4 News.
In an internal email to staff, he said the decision to perform an emergency cesarean was taken after the woman’s condition deteriorated. It is not known if her child has coronavirus also.
Tributes have also been paid to Dr Tun. He worked as an associate specialist in neurorehabilitation at the Royal Berkshire Hospital for more than 21 years.
In an emotional tribute, his sons revealed he had always told them, ‘Treat all your patients like they are your own family’.
In a statement, his children said: ‘Our family is immensely proud of our superhero dad.
‘He used to say, ‘Treat all your patients like they are your own family’, and this speaks to the type of character that he had.
‘To us, he was simply the best human we know and we will miss him every day.’
Another victim, Ade Raymond, 48, (pictured) had been working as a healthcare assistant for the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust before he died
Steve McManus, chief executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘The passing of Peter has sent a wave of grief throughout the entire organisation.
‘Tributes have been pouring in from staff who have worked with Peter over the years and he will be sorely missed.
‘On behalf of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we extend our sincere condolences to Peter’s family, friends and colleagues.’
The specialist’s colleagues have also paid tribute to him, with one calling him ‘a mentor, a father, and a friend’.
Dr Jonathan Mamo, who worked alongside Dr Tun in the hospital’s neurorehabilitation unit, said: ‘Peter was like a father to all of us in our department in Reading.
‘Despite being a calm and soft-spoken individual he always knew what to say and when to say it.’
He said Dr Tun, who cared for patients with complex neurological conditions, was a ‘great believer in the power of love’ who ‘loved to help people’.
Dr Mamo added: ‘His desk is now empty and we all miss his extraordinary presence.
‘To all of us on the neurorehabilitation unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital he wasn’t just a colleague; he was a mentor, a father, and a friend.’
Cheryl Williams (left), who worked as a housekeeper on an elderly patient ward at North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton, north London, died on Easter Sunday
Dr Tun, who came to the UK from Burma in 1994, was promoted to associate specialist in 2004, and was a member and contributor to the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Professor Christine Collin, who worked alongside Dr Tun at the hospital for 12 years, called him an ‘unfailingly kind, caring and gentle’ man who was ‘much loved and respected’ by both patients and colleagues.
‘Peter had the necessary compassion, respect and knowledge to help support the clinical needs of people with severe neurological disability, and had the useful attribute of always presenting a smiling face to the world,’ she said.
‘His family were his main joy in life, but he was also a talented artist, and could produce beautiful watercolours of his homeland.’
Steve McManus, chief executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘The passing of Peter has sent a wave of grief throughout the entire organisation.
‘Tributes have been pouring in from staff who have worked with Peter over the years and he will be sorely missed.
‘On behalf of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we extend our sincere condolences to Peter’s family, friends and colleagues.’
Colleagues of Mr Raymond at the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust have also paid tribute following his tragic death.
Dr Mehdi Veisi tweeted: ‘RIP Ade. I remember your smile whenever I saw you in Barnet. The BEH family is at a loss and shock. You will always be in our mind.
North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (pictured) said: ‘With greatest sadness, we can confirm the death of our much-loved colleague Cheryl Williams’
‘We will follow your path to protect lives, the way you did.’
While Chief Executive Jinjer Kandola tweeted: ‘It is with great sadness that we confirm the loss of our colleague & friend Ade Raymond due to coronavirus.
‘A much-valued member of the team who was studying for a nursing degree. Ade was a highly respected & much missed by all. RIP Ade.’
And another, Jade, writing on Twitter said: ‘Deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the passing of Ade Raymond. Ade was in my cohort at the beginning of his journey to becoming a mental health nurse.
‘My thoughts and sympathies are with all of his family, friends & colleagues. May he rest in Paradise.’
Another colleague said: ‘This was a member of nursing staff who sadly passed away from Covid-19. It is specifically the nursing staff across our mental health services who are the real heroes during this crisis.
‘When the public claps for the NHS, they clap for people like you.’
Tributes for Ms Williams have also poured in. Sharing a picture of Ms Williams to Facebook, the NHS trust said her contribution to patient care at the hospital was ‘irreplaceable’.
North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust said: ‘With greatest sadness, we can confirm the death of our much-loved colleague Cheryl Williams.
As a ward housekeeper on one of our care of the elderly wards, Cheryl was a lynchpin of the care, comfort, and compassion that our patients and local people value so highly, and her personal contribution to patient care is irreplaceable.
‘Her family, friends and colleagues at North Middlesex University Hospital will miss her more than words can describe.
‘We would kindly ask for you to respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time.’
NHS housekeepers are responsible for non-clinical services such as catering, cleaning, equipment and supplies as part of a ward team in a hospital department.
Their duties include talking to and reassuring patients, receiving visitors, keeping the ward clean and tidy and serving meals to those under their care.
Housekeepers also order supplies and undertake clerical and admin tasks.
In a tribute on Twitter, colleague Omodele Olowokere said the death of Ms Williams had ‘left a vacuum’ on the ward.
‘It is with great sadness and heavy heart to share the news that our colleague Cheryl passed away last night,’ she said.
‘The entire Charles Coward team are devastated about the loss. You have left a vacuum for us.
‘Our heartfelt condolences to your family and friends.’
A fitness instructor has also died just days after her mother after they are both understood to have contracted Covid-19.
Debbie Trotter, from Southampton, Hampshire, who ran Zumba, Clubbercise and aqua exercise classes across the New Forest, died on Monday after her mother, Margaret, died last week.
Debbie Trotter, from Southampton, Hampshire, who ran Zumba, Clubbercise and aqua exercise classes across the New Forest, died on Monday after her mother, Margaret, died last week
Applemore Health and Leisure Centre, near Hythe, posted on Facebook: ‘It is with much sadness that we need to announce that our much loved and respected Instructor Debbie Trotter passed away on Monday April 13 2020.’
‘Debbie was always full of energy and would light up any venue with her bubbly personality and had an incredible zest for teaching.
‘Debbie’s great love was teaching Zumba classes and one of her greatest moments was meeting the founder and creator of the Zumba Programme Beto Perez in 2016.
‘Debbie will be greatly missed by all that knew and worked with her, especially the many regulars who attended her classes.
‘When the time is right we will look towards a fitting tribute to Debbie. Our thoughts and condolences are with Debbie’s family and friends, especially her sister Jane at this time.’
The centre stated that Ms Trotter had worked there as a group fitness instructor for New Forest Health and Leisure since 2013 and had taught Zumba and aqua classes.
Ann Page, of Totton and Eling Community Centre, which also hosted Ms Trotter’s classes, told PA: ‘She was an absolutely lovely person who was very outgoing, very close to her mother Margaret who has also died which is very sad.
‘She was a very caring person, it’s going to be devastating for her family.’
Family friend Carole Young posted on Facebook: ‘I cant believe this it’s awful
‘I looked after margaret in home care got to know debbie
‘I’m in shock to hear this awful news two wonderful ladies
‘rip deb & margaret you were both amazing’