Pregnant nurse dies of coronavirus but her baby survives

A 28-year-old nurse at the Luton and Dunstable hospital, Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, was admitted for coronavirus treatment on April 7. Agyapong was heavily pregnant which prompted hospital staff to make the decision to perform an emergency caesarean section in order to deliver her baby.

While the operation itself was a success and a baby girl was delivered, Agyapong died on Sunday, April 12. She had no record of preexisting health complications.

Agyapong continued working as a nurse up until at least March 12, while in her third trimester of pregnancy. She had been working in an area of the hospital that has since been turned into a ward for COVID-19 patients although it was reported to have only been converted to serve that purpose after Agyapong quit working.

Agyapong's co-workers at the hospital said she was a "highly valued and loved member of the team."

Agyapong's daughter is alive and being cared for. She has been tested to see if she contracted COVID-19, along with Agyapong's husband.

David Carter, Chief Executive of the NHS Trust, called Agyapong a, "wonderful young woman who made a huge contribution" saying that her daughter's new life was a “beacon of light at this very dark time.”

“It is with great sadness that I can confirm the death of one of our nurses, Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, who passed away on Sunday. 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," wrote Carter in a statement to Channel 4 News.

“She tested positive for COVID-19 after being tested on 5 April and was admitted to the hospital on 7 April. 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,” the statement continued.

The announcement of Agyapong's death follows a trend of similar bad news. Two additional Welsh nurses have also died in the last two days. Leilani Medel, 41, a Bridgend nurse who died of COVID-19 on April 13. Her husband remains in hospital as well, in critical condition. Linnette Cruz, 51, died on April 14 after receiving treatment in the intensive care unit at Morrison Hospital for COVID-19. She was a dental nurse in Swansea.