A 29-year-old child cancer nurse died alone in coronavirus self-isolation after leaving the door open for paramedics.
Rebecca Mack, from Morpeth in Northumberland, died at home on Sunday. Her family said she had no underlying health problems.
On the night she died, Rebecca, who was self-isolating with Covid-19 symptoms, called an ambulance for herself and left the door open - but when paramedics arrived she was already dead.
She later tested positive for coronavirus.
Her mum Marion was woken by police officers who came to her home to tell her that her daughter had been found dead, ChronicleLive reports.
Rebecca had previously worked as a children's nurse at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) where she was a favourite with young patients, before more recently taking a job with NHS 111.
She is one of the youngest healthcare workers in the UK to die after contracting Covid-19 and in a tragic tribute, her mum says she can't begin to imagine life without her.
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Tributes from friends and family members said she "helped more people than most will in a lifetime" and described her as "honest, warm and charismatic" and very proud of her job.
"All the children loved her, her smile would light up any room," a parent said, whose little girl with leukaemia had been cared for by Rebecca.
Speaking about her devastating loss to Chronicle Live, Rebecca's mum Marion said: "She was an absolutely wonderful daughter.
"We couldn't have wished for a nicer daughter. She was so caring.
"She was just the light of our lives. I can't even begin to imagine life without her."
Marion, 59, pleaded with everyone to follow advice and stay indoors.
She added: "You think you are going to be safe, but I think this virus is a lot more contagious than anyone realised. It's indiscriminate.
"I don't want any other parents to go through what we are going through at the moment.
Marion said she, her husband Alan and Rebecca had all become ill with symptoms similar to those linked with coronavirus so were all self-isolating at home.
"She was quite poorly for a while, but we were poorly as well so we couldn't go to see her," Marion explained.
Rebecca, who lived alone, kept in touch with her parents by phone daily, and on Sunday evening Rebecca told her mum she had been feeling better.
When Rebecca did not reply to a message at 10pm, Marion assumed her daughter had gone to bed.
She was woken by police officers who came to her home to tell her her daughter had been found dead.
The family later discovered Rebecca had phoned for an ambulance herself and left the door open.
But when paramedics arrived she had already passed away. Tests later confirmed she had contracted coronavirus.
"It's just horrendous," said Marion. "We can't even go to see her to say goodbye."
In a heartbreaking tribute, her friend Sarah Bredin-Kemp wrote: "This is really hard. For anyone who doesn't know, we lost our beautiful Rebecca Mack on Sunday to covid-19.
"She was 29 and she was one of my best friends."
She added: "Becca was one of the best friends I've ever had. She was a devoted friend, an incredible nurse and a unapologetically imperfect person."
One of Becca's cousins Chrissy Mack wrote: "So so nice to see so many people saying such lovely things about my cousin.
"The next NHS doorstep clap will certainly have extra meaning to me, these people are literally heroes.
"Rest In Peace Becca x."
Rebecca's funeral will be held in Blyth on April 22. However, due to social distancing rules, only eight mourners are permitted.
Newcastle's NHS Trust were among many to offer their condolences.
In a statement, it also clarified that Rebecca had not been working at the hospital for some time in order to reassure parents whose children are receiving treatment there.
A spokesperson said: "We are aware of the sad news being reported that a nurse, who previously worked in the Royal Victoria Infirmary, has died after contracting coronavirus and our thoughts are with her family and friends.
"It has been reported that she worked on the children's cancer unit at the RVI and, understandably, this has caused concerns for many families who are receiving treatment with us.
"The team would like to send their heartfelt sympathies and condolences to their former colleague and also clarify that she has not worked at the Trust for many months.
"If your child is currently receiving treatment from us, it is really important you continue to follow the advice and instructions given by your clinical team."
