A midwife who died after testing positive for coronavirus has been named as a "loving mum".
Lynsay Coventry, 54, sadly died on Thursday after testing positive for the disease at the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust, The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust said.
Her grieving family paid tribute to her in an emotional statement in which they said her love was "unfailing".
A fellow midwife also paid a powerful tribute to Lynsay by posting a heart-breaking picture and message on Facebook.
The photo shows several colleagues standing in a corridor with their heads bowed.
The statement by Lynsay's family said: "As a family, our hearts are broken at the loss of our loving, wonderful and caring mum, sister, daughter and grandmother.
"We each know how much she loved and cherished us. Her love for us all was unfailing and her strength in the way she cared and supported us will fill our memories.
"What we also know is how proud she was to be an NHS midwife. Lynsay followed her dream and trained as a midwife later in life.
"It was a role she committed herself to and saw the midwifery team at the Princess Alexandra Hospital as her other family.
"She was a very well-respected midwife who supported many hundreds of women as they welcomed their babies into the world.
"We ask that our privacy is respected as we grieve together. We will not be releasing any other statements. Thank-you."
Distraught midwife Rachael Marchant's Facebook post read: "This is what our maternity unit in Harlow looked like on Friday.
"My friends, work colleagues and work family all united in grief!
"We stand apart to minimise spread but stand together in mourning the loss of our midwife!
"Part of us has been lost but we still go on with our work for you all!
"If this doesn’t stop you from going out this weekend then we shouldn’t be friends!
"I beg u, stay home! I would give anything to stay home with my 3 children and stay away from this deadly virus, but I can’t! (sic)."
Lance McCarthy, chief executive of the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT), said: "It is with great sadness that I confirm the death of Lynsay Coventry, 54, a long-standing member of our maternity team who will be remembered for her professionalism and commitment to the women she supported.
"Lynsay has been a midwife at PAHT for 10 years and her loss will be felt by the maternity team and colleagues from across the organisation.
"Lynsay had tested positive for Covid-19 and died on Thursday (April 2). She followed national guidance and self-isolated at home when she developed symptoms, and was not at work in the time before her death.
"Our thoughts are with Lynsay's family and friends at this sad time."
Ms Coventry is the latest NHS staff member to die during the outbreak and the first serving NHS midwife in England whose death has been publicly confirmed.
Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, chief midwifery officer for England, said: "I was deeply moved and saddened to hear about the death of Lynsay Coventry.
"Lynsay was clearly a highly-regarded midwife whose dedication to women, babies and their families will be remembered and cherished by her own family and her colleagues - my deepest thoughts are with them, her children, grandchildren, parents and siblings.
"The outpouring of support for NHS staff as we respond to this outbreak has been extraordinary, but the best way for people to do their bit for midwives, nurses, doctors and other NHS staff is to help protect us by following the Government's advice to stay at home and save lives."
