Two frontline nurses have died after testing positive for coronavirus, with each tragically leaving behind three young children.
Areema Nasreen, 36, was diagnosed with the infection in late March after developing a soaring temperature, body aches and a cough.
The NHS employee of 16 years died shortly after midnight in intensive care at Walsall Manor Hospital, West Midlands, where she had worked.
Just hours earlier, Aimee O’Rourke, 38, passed away yesterday at the QEQM Hospital in Margate, Kent, following the surfacing of symptoms two weeks ago.
Ms O’Rourke had three daughters, Maddie, Mollie and Meghan, who described her mother as an ‘angel’ who will ‘wear [her] NHS crown forever more’.
Both were put on ventilators but sadly could not be saved and became the sixth and seventh health workers to die with the virus during the pandemic.
A heartbroken relative of Ms Nasreen today said: ‘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.
‘I’m really sad for the rest of the family, she was a fantastic person.’
Ms Nasreen’s sister Kazeema described her sibling as ‘normally fit and healthy’ and begged Britons to treat the deadly virus seriously.
Five other NHS staff have already died after contracting Covid-19, aged 55, 57, 63, 68 and 76, respectively.
Areema Nasreen, 36, a Walsall staff nurse and mother-of-three, has died from coronavirus, becoming the country’s youngest health worker to be killed by the disease
Aimee O’Rourke, 38, passed away yesterday at the QEQM Hospital in Margate, Kent, and leaves behind three young daughters
Ms Nasreen (left) with Rubi Aktar (right), a nurse who paid tribute to her ‘best friend’, who she described as the ‘most loveliest, genuine person you could ever meet’
The nurse, who has no underlying health conditions, and has worked for the NHS for 16 years, was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital
Nurse Rubi Aktar paid tribute to her ‘best friend’, who she described as the ‘most loveliest, genuine person you could ever meet’.
In an emotional Facebook post, she wrote: ‘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.’
When Ms Nasreen was first diagnosed, Kazeema gave those flouting government social distancing advice a wake up call, saying it is ‘not just the elderly at risk’.
Kazeema said: ‘My sister who is an amazing nurse on the front line and who always helps so many has now caught this virus. She is critically ill in ICU, on a ventilator and fighting for her life.
‘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.’
In an emotional Facebook post, Rubi Aktar wrote: ‘I am so broken that words can’t explain. I can’t believe I will not see your smile again.
Ms Nasreen first became unwell around March 12, suffering with ‘body aches’, a high temperature which could not be brought down and a cough.
Her sister said: ‘Her temperature would not go down and her cough was so bad it affected her lungs.’
On March 20, she was taken to hospital and tested positive for coronavirus before being treated in the health facility’s intensive care unit.
When Ms Nasreena was in hospital, Kazeema said: ‘Areema loves the NHS. Her colleagues are like a second family and they have been truly amazing with her – and us. They are keeping us all strong and doing everything they can for her.
‘The Manor Hospital are brilliant and she has loved working there for over 15 years. She started off as housekeeping, then a Healthcare Assistant and now is qualified as a staff nurse.
‘She is my queen and is truly loved by everyone – always putting others first. We are heartbroken.’
Areema had previously spoken of the joy she takes from her job as a nurse: ‘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.’
Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, (pictured) fell ill on Tuesday and died in intensive care at Southend Hospital in Essex on Wednesday
Dr Adil El Tayar, 63, (left) died on March 28 after contracting the virus at the Hereford County Hospital and Dr Amged El-Hawrani, 55, (right) an ear nose and throat (ENT) specialist at Queen’s Hospital Burton, died on March 29
Nurse Thomas Harvey, 57, picked up coronavirus when treating a patient in London and died of the virus
Dr Alfa Saadu, 68, died on Tuesday after working at Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, became ill and died in intensive care on March 25 at Southend Hospital in Essex on Wednesday
Dr Adil El Tayar, 63, died on March 28 after contracting the virus at the Hereford County Hospital.
Dr Amged El-Hawrani, 55, an ear nose and throat (ENT) specialist at Queen’s Hospital Burton, died on March 29.
Nurse Thomas Harvey, 57, of Goodmayes Hospital, London, died on Sunday after contracting the virus.
Dr Alfa Saadu, 68, died on Tuesday after working at Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.