A 28-year-old nurse died with coronavirus less than a week after giving birth of multiple organ failure and Covid-19, a coroner has concluded.
Mary Agyapong died at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, the hospital where she worked, last year.
Her widower Ernest Boateng had told the inquest at Bedfordshire and Luton Coroner's Court that she was concerned about becoming infected at work while heavily pregnant.
Recording a narrative conclusion, Coroner Emma Whitting said: "The deceased died after contracting Covid-19 but it remains unclear where and when her exposure to the virus had occurred."
Ms Agyapong, who lived in Luton and was originally from Ghana, died on April 12 last year, as the Covid-19 case rate soared across the UK.
She spent at least the last week of her life with coronavirus, a diagnosis initially dismissed by medics at the hospital where she worked, despite collapsing at home and suffering acute breathing difficulties.
After the ruling, Mr Boateng said: "The sudden death of my wife and the mother of our two children has been the hardest pain to bear.
"In those early days after Mary's death, I was only able to carry on because of the need to care for our children and provide them with a loving home.
"Mary was strong, capable, vibrant, full of life and the most precious person in my life. It is still difficult to believe that she lost her life to the Covid-19 virus.
"I am glad that those who were involved in Mary's care in the final weeks of her life have had to give a full account of what happened.
"I hope that the fact that they have had to do so will remind them of the need to always give the best possible care to women in Mary's situation - especially black women who are themselves on the frontline of healthcare."
Ms Agyapong had stopped working just a week before her tragic death at eight months pregnant - in line with government advice.
At the time the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said that Ms Agyapong tested positive on April 5 and was admitted to hospital on April 7.
A Gofundme to raise money for a trust for Ms Agyapong's children has collected more than £186,000 since her death.
"May God reward and bless everyone who finds it in their heart to assist," wrote Rhoda Asiedu, who set up the fundraiser.
"This will go a long way in making life more bearable after experiencing this in unexpected tragedy.
"May those who have settled in Heaven welcome you home, to a better resting place.
"You will forever be in our hearts Mary. Your memories are still with us and we will cherish them forever until we meet again."
