A NHS nurse aged just 29 has died after contracting coronavirus – becoming the 14th frontline medic killed by the deadly bug.
Rebecca Mack, 29, was today remembered as an “amazing medic” after she tragically died this week.
Tributes have since poured in for the dedicated nurse who had her whole life ahead of her.
Sarah Bredin-Kemp, one of Rebecca’s best friends, wrote on Facebook: “She was honest, warm and charismatic. She worked hard and made her family proud every single day.
“She knew her worth and never settled for less, and wouldn’t let her friends settle either.
“She was so proud of her work and so happy to have such amazing work friends.”
Rebecca’s colleague, Jamie Young also took to social media, saying he had been left heartbroken.
He said: “Today, the NHS lost an absolutely amazing and beautiful nurse, myself and my colleagues lost the most tremendous clinician. At the age of just 29, she had her entire life ahead of her.”
Rebecca was described by one friend as “just starting her life,” adding that she was getting ready to buy her first home.
In a Facebook post, Cheryl Murphy said: “Tonight we light a candle for a kind caring nurse who sadly lost her life to covid-19 just starting her life getting ready to buy her first home always smiling rest in paradise and if any one can learn something from this please stay at home and stay safe keep your babies home!”
It is understood the young woman from Morperth, Northumberland, first worked at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne, before becoming a NHS 111 medic.
And many families said Rebecca had helped care for their children during cancer treatment.
One wrote on Twitter: “Becca was a specialist nurse who cared for my daughter at the RVI Hospital on the children’s cancer ward.
“A life taken far too soon and that of a selfless person dedicated to others. RIP Becca.”
Cousin Chrissy Mack thanked those posting tributes, saying: “So so nice to see so many people saying such lovely things about my cousin.
“The next NHS doorstep clap will certainly have extra meaning to me, these people are literally heroes. Rest In Peace Becca”
Rebecca’s colleague Lauren Callender wrote: “Sleep tight hunnie Rebecca Mack you truly were an amazing girl and will be missed by many!
“You could light up a room, so bubbly and caring, honoured to have worked along side you at 111, devastated beyond words.”
The tragic death of Becca comes as the UK death toll from coronavirus yesterday climbed to more than 6,000 with more than 51,000 cases.
Medics at the frontline have tragically been claimed by the virus, with Dr Anton Sebastianpillai, a consultant geriatrician, killed by coronavirus on Saturday at Kingston Hospital.
On Monday, heart surgeon and dad-of-two Jitendra Rathod, who worked at the University Hospital of Wales, died in Cardiff after testing positive for Covid-19.
The dad-of-two was described as an “incredibly dedicated surgeon” who cared deeply for his patients and was highly regarded in the medical profession in Wales.
It follows the tragic death of Lynsay Coventry, 54, died at Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust last Thursday – just a day before long-serving nurse Liz Glanister died in Liverpool.
Two other nurses, five doctors and two healthcare assistants have also died in the UK after contracting Covid-19.
John Alagos, 23, is believed to be the youngest British medic to have died from the deadly bug – collapsing after a 12 hour hospital shift.
Last week, six children were also robbed of their hero mums as nurses Aimee O’Rourke, 38, and Areema Nasreen, 36, died after treating patients.
Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, from Leigh-on-Sea, is one of five doctors to have died from the deadly virus.
The well-respected GP died in intensive care at Southend Hospital, Essex, on March 25.
