Bristol hospital worker dies after contracting coronavirus

A healthcare assistant working at a hospital in Bristol has died after contracting coronavirus.

Maureen Ellington died in the early hours of Easter Sunday (12 April) after testing positive for the virus.

Colleagues at Southmead Hospital, where she worked, described her as a “kind-hearted, compassionate and caring” person while her family said “she would light up any room she entered.”

Maureen, who was in her early 60s, had worked for the NHS for over 25 years - including stints at both Southmead and Frenchay Hospitals.

Maureen worked at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. Credit: PA

Her manager, Suzanne Moss, said she and her team had been “devastated” by Maureen’s death.

Maureen’s death comes after a worker at Weston General Hospital also died over the weekend, having tested positive for COVID-19.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said a total of 19 NHS workers had now died after contracting the virus.

For the latest updates on coronavirus in the West Country, including case numbers, event cancellations and venue closures, click here.

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know