The Yorkshire NHS and care workers among 219 medical staff who have died of Covid during the pandemic

These are the Yorkshire NHS health and social care workers who have died after contracting Coronavirus since March 11.
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At least 219 frontline health and care workers have been identified after dying with coronavirus.

Through tributes from loved ones and confirmation through sources such as local NHS trusts and other authorities, the PA news agency has confirmed the names of health and social care workers who have died after contracting Covid-19 since March 11 2020.

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The list contains people who were working in roles shortly before their deaths where they were likely to come into contact with patients.

The figure is likely to be lower than the true number of workers who have died, as the names of some victims will not yet be in the public domain.

Adela Baldwin-White, healthcare assistant and care worker

Described as a “pocket rocket” who “just inspired everyone”, Adela Baldwin-White from Grimsby died on December 3 aged 47.

Her husband Lawrence Baldwin-White, 65, told the PA news agency: “She’s just a great person and she puts everyone else first. Even when she went into hospital… she was still looking out for people instead of resting and trying to help other people.”

Kalli Mantala-Bozos, clinical psychologist

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Kalli Mantala-Bozos was a clinical psychologist at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, described as “genuine and kind-hearted” by colleagues.

The trust said she died after a “prolonged battle” with Covid-19.

Nicola Diles, administrative assistant

Ms Diles joined Hull University Teaching Hospitals in 2016 but died with Covid-19 in the ICU at Hull Royal Infirmary on November 15.

The trust said her role meant she worked with a variety of staff and patients who had the “honour of knowing her”.

Richzeal Albufera, scientist

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Mr Albufera, aged 45, was working as a biomedical scientist at Castle Hill Hospital, part of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, before his death with Covid-19 on June 9.

A colleague said the Filipino was on the forefront of testing during the pandemic, with an “inspiring and grafting” work ethic and was “the epitome of what the NHS is all about”.

Dr Abdel Wahab Babiker, consultant

Dr Abdel Wahab Babiker, aged 70, had worked as a consultant physician at Scarborough Hospital since August 2019. He had been receiving care in hospital after contracting coronavirus and died on Monday May 18.

Dr Ed Smith, director of acute, emergency and elderly medicine at Scarborough Hospital, said: “Dr Babiker was an extremely energetic, hard-working, approachable and dedicated doctor.

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“He was particularly notable for his ‘can-do’ attitude and supportive nature, and was well-liked by patients and staff alike.”

Ray Lever, domestic services assistant

Ray Lever, a domestic services assistant at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, was remembered by colleagues as a kind man and a doting grandfather. He died on May 1.

His daughters Rachel, Kathryn, and Rebecca said: “Dad was the perfect dad and grandad and nothing was ever too much trouble for him if it meant helping someone else.”

Mark Stanley, paramedic

Yorkshire Ambulance Service said two of its staff had died within three days after contracting coronavirus.

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The first, 57-year-old Mark Stanley from North Yorkshire, died in hospital on April 30. Mr Stanley’s friends said he was “such a great bloke” and extremely fit with no underlying health conditions.

Unnamed emergency medical technician for Yorkshire Ambulance Service

The second member of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service was an unnamed medical technician from West Yorkshire, who died in hospital on April 30.

Both colleagues “worked tirelessly for many years serving their local communities and were married with families”, the trust said in a statement.

Dr Nasir Khan

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Married well-recognised and popular father-of-three Dr Nasir Khan would “look for the slightest of excuses to help those in need,” according to his son Mahad Ali Khan.

Dr Khan was a locum doctor working at Dewsbury and District Hospital, who died on April 29 after contracting Covid-19.

Medhat Atalla, consultant

The “hugely popular and respected” Dr Atalla died following treatment for coronavirus at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI), where he worked as a consultant geriatrician, the hospital said.

He moved to Britain from Egypt about 20 years ago and his colleagues said he cared for elderly people on three continents, including across the north of England.

Khulisani (Khuli) Nkala, mental health nurse

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Mr Nkala, 46, a “well-respected and selfless professional nurse, who always put the patient first” had been working as a charge nurse in the forensic services at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust before he died on April 17, after testing positive for Covid-19.

Josiane Zauma Ebonja Ekoli, nurse

The mother-of-five was an agency nurse who lived in Leeds and worked at Harrogate Hospital. She died on April 13, aged 55.

Her daughter said: “It meant everything to be a nurse, she’s been doing it for as long as I remember – more than 30 years.”

Kevin Smith, plaster technician

Doncaster Royal Infirmary confirmed the death of plaster technician Kevin Smith on April 12, following a “brief, but courageous, battle with Covid-19”.

He worked at the hospital for more than 35 years and was “renowned for his warm personality, diligence and compassion”, the trust said.

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