Frontline NHS nurse and mother-of-five remembered as Covid-19 death toll rises

The daughter of a Harrogate nurse, who died after contracting Coronavirus, has called for better protection for frontline staff.

Josie Ekoli, 55, had been working on a COVID-19 ward before she became ill.

In a tribute, her daughter Naomie said: "It meant everything to be a nurse, she's being doing it for as long as I remember - more than 30 years.

The least they could do is up the PPE so they can make sure it doesn't happen to another family."

• Jill Foster, chief nurse at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said:

It comes as the latest figures show over 600 people have died in hospitals across the North East and North Yorkshire.

The NHS is recruiting staff to work at the new Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate.

Final preparations are underway at the town's convention centre which is being converted to help the region deal with coronavirus cases.

Initially, 60 critical care beds will be available but the facility can provide up to 500 if necessary.