A midwife who died on Thursday after testing positive for coronavirus has been named as Lynsay Coventry.
The 54-year-old 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.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, revealed she died on Thursday, April 2, at Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust.
A moving picture posted on Facebook shows staff at the maternity unit standing in mourning in tribute to their friend and colleague.
The message next to the picture begged people to stay indoors to help protect other NHS staff putting their lives in the line.
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. 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."
In a statement, Ms Coventry'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."
