A hospital cleaner who colleagues describe as a “beautiful angel” died because of the coronavirus as the death toll continues to mount.
Joanna Klenczon, 34, had worked at Northampton General Hospital for a decade and is believed to be the first hospital cleaner to die from the coronavirus. She is one of at least 80 health workers to have perished from the disease.
Klenczon was a domestic supervisor who managed the cleaning teams. She “will be missed by everyone who knew or worked with her”, trust chief executive Dr. Sonia Swart said.
A hospital statement confirmed Klenczon’s passing on April 9 after “receiving the best care we could provide”, reported ITV News.
Northampton General Hospital added: “Her colleagues remember her as someone who was courteous, polite, a good organizer and team member who set high standards and was prepared to go the extra mile.
“Our thoughts are with Joanna’s family at this time and we offer them our sincere condolences.”
Dr. Swart added: “Joanna touched the lives of so many people at NGH and she will be missed by everyone who knew or worked with her.
“We are offering our support to our staff during this difficult time whilst we all mourn the loss of one of our team members.
“We would ask that the privacy of Joanna’s family, friends, and colleagues is respected at this time.”
People have lauded her as an “example of many healthy people and medical staff dying” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
A Facebook comment read: “RIP beautiful angel.”
Another urged: “This is why we need to stay home to protect others and stop the spread.”
Other hero hospital staff who have tragically fallen to the disease also received tributes even as Britain faces massive shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE).
A healthcare assistant named Margaret Tapley was hailed as an “inspiration” for her determination to keep working even at age 84 while risking infection from the coronavirus.
She carried out her last shift on April 10 at Witney Community Hospital in Oxfordshire and died nine days later at Great Western Hospital in Swindon.
Tom Wood, her nurse grandson, paid her a tribute on Facebook, writing: “This phenomenal, committed, kindhearted fighter was my grandmother and I am so hugely proud of her.
“She was my inspiration and a huge reason as to why I am a nurse today.
“She took huge pride in her work but was so humble. She embodied the nursing spirit.
“For anyone who worked with her or knew her, that spirit that we all saw and felt lives on in us.
“Grandma may have been called home in what feels all too early for us left behind but the values, spirit and giving nature that she brought to the world is carried on in us that we’re touched by her life.”
Replaced!