278 brave healthworkers have now lost their lives to coronavirus
THE toll of healthworkers who have lost their lives to Covid-19 is now 278.
Three more frontline heroes have been named since Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed a grim tally of 275 on Wednesday.
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That includes 147 NHS workers, although the true figure is feared to be higher.
It also emerged that at least 23 were staff from the Philippines.
Among them was Jun Terre, 52, a “much-loved” healthcare assistant at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Bucks, who died on Thursday.
Bucks Healthcare NHS Trust boss Neil Macdonald said he was “a gracious, quiet and kind gentleman with a smile that would light up a room”.
He added: “I am especially grateful for the care given to Jun by our ICU team.
“He was being looked after by people who have worked with and knew him personally.
“I know they feel this loss deeply.”
Grandfather Norman Austria, 61, died on Wednesday after battling the virus at the Royal Derby Hospital, where he worked as a healthcare assistant.
Shirley, his wife of 40 years, said: “He was a wonderful husband.
"He was very proud of his family and loved his children and grandchildren very much.
“Everybody who met Norman loved him and he quickly formed friendships.
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“He was very giving and would always be available to help anybody who needed it. He loved music and regularly played guitar. We will miss him so much.”
Dr Thaung Htaik, 65, a “universally well-liked” general consultant at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital, has also died, it emerged on Thursday.
He leaves a wife, four children and three grandchildren.
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