Woman, 34, becomes Britain’s first hospital cleaner to die from coronavirus as NHS death toll rises
A HOSPITAL cleaner described as a “beautiful angel” has lost her life to coronavirus as the NHS death toll continues to spiral.
Joanna Klenczon, 34, had worked for a decade at Northampton General Hospital, and is believed to be the first cleaner to die from the disease.
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She had tested positive for Covid-19, and is one of at least 80 health workers to have so far died of the coronavirus.
Ms Klenczon, a domestic supervisor who managed cleaning teams, “will be missed by everyone who knew or worked with her”, trust chief executive Dr Sonia Swart said.
A statement from the hospital confirmed that Ms Klenczon died on April 9 after “receiving the best care we could provide”, reports ITV News.
Northampton General Hospital added: “Her colleagues remember her as someone who was courteous, polite, a good organiser and team member who set high standards, and was prepared to go the extra mile.
“Our thoughts are with Joanna’s family at this time and we offer them our sincere condolences.”
RIP beautiful angel.
Facebook tribute
Dr Swart added: “Joanna touched the lives of so many people at NGH and she will be missed by everyone who knew or worked with her.
“We are offering our support to our staff during this difficult time whilst we all mourn the loss of one of our team members.
“We would ask that the privacy of Joanna’s family, friends and colleagues is respected at this time”.
People have paid tribute to her as an “example of many healthy people and medical staff dying” during the coronavirus pandemic.
One posted on Facebook: “RIP beautiful angel.”
Another urged: “This is why we need to stay home to protect others and stop the spread.”
Tributes have also poured in for other hero hospital staff who have also tragically lost their lives across Britain, particularly during a massive shortage in personal protective equipment (PPE).
Healthcare assistant Margaret Tapley was described as an “inspiration”, determined to keep working aged 84 despite the risks of Covid-19.
She worked at Witney Community Hospital in Oxfordshire, carrying out her last shift on April 10, and died nine days later at Great Western Hospital in Swindon.
Her nurse grandson, Tom Wood, paid tribute to her on Facebook, writing: “This phenomenal, committed, kindhearted fighter was my grandmother and I am so hugely proud of her.
“She was my inspiration and a huge reason as to why I am a nurse today.
“She took huge pride in her work but was so humble. She embodied the nursing spirit.
“For anyone who worked with her or knew her, that spirit that we all saw and felt lives on in us.
“Grandma may have been called home in what feels all too early for us left behind but the values, spirit and giving nature that she brought to the world is carried on in us that we’re touched by her life.”
‘Much-cherished granny’
Another victim, healthcare assistant Chrissie Emerson, who worked at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, was a “much-loved wife and cherished mother and grandmother”, the hospital’s CEO said on Monday.
Staff were being supported after the “devastating news” about the “valued colleague”, the statement added.
Tributes have also been paid to nurse Patrick McManus, who was described as an “exceptional leader”.
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) CEO, Tracy Bullock, said he was an “extremely well-liked and valued member” of the nursing team at County Hospital in Stafford.
She added: “He had been a nurse for more than 40 years and had worked at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary prior to working in Stafford, where he had been for about 10 years.
“He was a lovable character and brought kindness and compassion to all his patients, which was acknowledged by the number of compliments and thank you messages he received.”
According to the Department of Health, 124,743 people have now tested positive for the killer bug with the death toll rising to 16,509.
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Britain will fall silent next week in memory of those who have died fighting Covid-19 on the NHS frontline.
At 11am on Tuesday April 28, the country will hold a minute’s silence organised by healthcare unions to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Royal College of Nursing general secretary Prof Dame Donna Kinnair said: “This respectful silence will be a poignant reminder of the risks they run to keep us safe.”
The number of NHS workers killed by the virus has more than doubled in just a week.
Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff
Yesterday, we backed a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.”
SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”
We are asking readers to sign the petition online at thesun.co.uk/georgecrossfornhs.