Two Filipino-born NHS colleagues died on the same day after both testing positive for coronavirus.
Dominga David, 62, and Allan Macalalad, 44, who worked for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in South Wales, both died on Tuesday.
The two deaths come amid claims that Filipinos have the highest death rate of staff across the NHS and care services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The PA news agency has verified 187 frontline health and care deaths, of which 28 (15%) were people of Filipino heritage.
Mother-of-one Ms David, a nurse from Penarth who had been at University Hospital Llandough since 2004, was described as an “exceptionally hard worker and a respectful, kind and compassionate person”.
Intensive care unit
On Wednesday, her health board said she died in an intensive care unit.
It said in a tribute to her: “The teams say she was part of their family and she was well-loved by everyone.
“She is survived by her son, Renzie, to whom we send our deepest condolences.”
Mr Macalalad, who lived with his wife Elsie, a nurse, and son Justin in Cardiff, had worked as a theatre assistant treating eye disorders for two years, and was described as a “perfect gentleman” and a “a loyal team player”.
He died at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant.
A tribute to him said: “Allan was a carpenter by trade and had lived an interesting life before settling in Cardiff with his wife, Elsie, who is also a nurse with a neighbouring health board.
“He is survived by Elsie and his son, Justin, to whom we send our deepest condolences.
“Elsie has asked the UHB to also convey how wonderful and loving a husband, father and son he was and that he was also a very generous and genuine person.”
Announcing the deaths to NHS colleagues, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board chief executive Len Richards said: “In my entire career in the health service, this terrible disease has been one of the most challenging periods, and the loss of colleagues is one of the most difficult things to come to terms with.”
Heart-breaking
Executive nurse director Ruth Walker said: “It is absolutely heart-breaking to have lost two colleagues in the same week to Covid-19.
“Both Allan and Dominga were valued members of our team here in Cardiff and Vale UHB and we will miss them profoundly, and we send our condolences to their respective families.
“I would like to thank those staff members who worked with Allan and Dominga for the support they have given to their families during this difficult time.
“I know everyone who worked with them will be feeling sad today and how much we will miss these caring, compassionate and kind individuals.
“Our thoughts are with Allan and Dominga’s teams in UHB, and their loved ones both here in the UK and the Philippines.”
Related – Migrant NHS cleaner ‘proud’ of his role as fee for overseas workers scrapped
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .
