Heartbreak after pregnant Luton nurse with coronavirus dies at L&D Hospital

Pregnant Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, 28, worked as a nurse on a general ward at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital for five years.

After falling ill with coronavirus, Ms Agyapong was admitted to the hospital herself on Sunday, April 5.

Her baby, a little girl, was delivered successfully by emergency caesarian and is understood to be doing well.

But tragically, Ms Agyepong died on Easter Sunday.

David Carter, CEO of Luton & Dunstable Hospital University Foundation Trust, said: "It is with great sadness that I can confirm the death of one of our nurses, Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, who passed away on Sunday, April 12.

"Mary worked here for five years and was a highly valued and loved member of our team, a fantastic nurse and a great example of what we stand for in this Trust.

"She tested positive for Covid-19 after being tested on April 5 and was admitted to the hospital on April 7.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mary’s family and friends at this sad time. We ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this time."

Debate over personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS workers rages on, and Luton North MP Sarah Owen has called on Health Secretary Matt Hancock to provide PPE and widen testing as a priority.

Ms Owen tweeted: "Healthcare workers in Luton have got in touch with me to share their concerns about a lack of PPE."

> If you are a Luton healthcare worker, you can fill in the following questionnaire to share your thoughts about PPE - https://form.jotform.com/201044589114046.