Mother-of-three, 36, dies from coronavirus after contracting disease while treating infected patients
A nurse from UK's National Health Service (NHS), who was tested positive for the deadly novel coronavirus while working on the frontline of the country's pandemic, has reportedly been killed by the infection. Areema Nasreen, 36, a mother of three children, became the youngest health worker to be killed by COVID-19 in the UK.
Nasreen was diagnosed with the infection in late March after she began exhibiting symptoms like high temperature, body aches, and a cough. The 36-year-old had no underlying health conditions and had been working for the NHS for the past 16 years. She was rushed to the intensive care unit at her own workplace at Walsall Manor Hospital earlier this week and was on ventilator support. However, she passed away early Friday morning, April 3.
"The immediate family are devastated. Everyone is in shock this morning," a heartbroken relative said of Nasreen's demise. "She was always so full of life. She was devoted to her job as a nurse, she absolutely loved it. She passed away doing what she loved. I'm really sad for the rest of the family, she was a fantastic person."
The nurse's sister, Kazeema, described her sibling as "normally fit and healthy" and begged British residents to take the virus seriously, the Daily Mail reported. At least five other NHS staff have already succumbed to the infection after contracting COVID-19. All of them were above the age of 57, with the oldest at 76.
A nurse at Walsall Manor, Rubi Aktar, paid tribute to her "best friend", saying she was the "loveliest, genuine person you could ever meet." Aktar took to Facebook to write a post for her friend, saying: "I am so broken that words can't explain. I can't believe I will not see your smile again."
"You made me the nurse that I am today, with your support, motivation and inspiration I am the nurse that I am today and I hope I can do you proud Areema," she wrote. "I love you so much and I will never forget you. You had so much to live for, I am sorry you didn't get to see your kids grow up and I'm sorry that you didn't get to complete your career."
After Nasreen was diagnosed with the infection, her sister had taken to social media to give advice to those who were flouting government social distancing, saying it is "not just the elderly at risk. My sister who is an amazing nurse on the front line and who always helps so many have now caught this virus. She is critically ill in ICU, on a ventilator and fighting for her life. I want everyone to know how dangerous this is. My sister is only 36 and is normally fit and healthy. People are not taking this seriously enough. She is young - it is not just the elderly who are at risk."
"Her temperature would not go down and her cough was so bad it affected her lungs," she added. She also talked about her sister's love for her job, writing: "Areema loves the NHS. Her colleagues are like a second family and they have been truly amazing with her - and us. They are keeping us all strong and doing everything they can for her.
The Manor Hospital are brilliant and she has loved working there for over 15 years. She started off as housekeeping, then a Healthcare Assistant and now is qualified as a staff nurse. She is my queen and is truly loved by everyone - always putting others first. We are heartbroken."
The UK has witnessed over 34,000 cases of the deadly coronavirus as of April 3, and nearly 3,000 have succumbed to the virus.