A "much loved" Weston General Hospital worker has died with coronavirus.
The hospital in Weston-super-Mare confirmed yesterday (April 13) its employee Amarante Dias passed away after testing positive for covid-19.
Dr William Oldfield, medical director at the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS trust, said: "We are deeply saddened at losing Amarante Dias who was such a valued and much-loved colleague.
“On behalf of everyone at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, including our patients and the communities we serve, I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to his family.
“Amarante will be greatly missed and we are ensuring that staff have access to support to help them at this difficult time.
“We will not be commenting further and ask that everybody respects the privacy of the family at their request."
The Weston Super Mare Association of Malayalees posted a tribute on social media: "Our deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family, (Amarante Dias) will deeply be missed."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on April 12 a total of 19 "members of the NHS family" have died from covid-19, but according to Sky reports, it is believed "dozens" of healthcare professionals have lost their lives.
Among them is "hero" consultant Amged El-Hawrani, who grew up in Bristol's Westbury Park area and died at Leicester Royal Infirmary on March 29.
A total of 89 people have lost their lives in a Bristol hospital after contracting coronavirus. Three patients have died at Weston General.
Across Bristol, 333 people have tested positive for the illness.
It is likely the real figure is in the thousands because the Government is only testing certain patients and some NHS workers.
The UK's death toll climbed to 11,344 on April 13 after 697 more patients died in just one day.
