In a heartbreaking scene that is becoming all too common in all hospitals around the world that are battling the coronavirus, one photo showed a midwife’s colleagues gathering in the hallway mourning their fallen careworker who died due to the coronavirus.
Lynsay Coventry, a midwife at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, passed away on April 2 at age 54 after testing positive for the coronavirus. Her colleagues can be seen in the picture lining the hallway mourning her passing.
Their heads are bowed in a sign of respect while others also seem to be wiping away a tear.
Midwife Rachael Marchant shared the photo online and wrote: “This is what our maternity unit in Harlow looked like on Friday.
“My friends, work colleagues and work-family all united in grief! We stand apart to minimize spread but stand together in mourning the loss of our midwife. Part of us has been lost but we still go on with our work for you all.
“If this doesn’t stop you from going out this weekend then we shouldn’t be friends. I beg you, stay at home! I would give anything to stay home with my three children and stay away from this deadly virus, but I can’t.
“I hope you sleep well, my beautiful friend. Until we meet again.”
Thousands of messages of condolence and support soon flooded in.
Lance McCarthy, the chief executive of the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT), announced Lynsay’s tragic passing, saying: “It is with great sadness that I confirm the death of Lynsay Coventry, 54, a long-standing member of our maternity team who will be remembered for her professionalism and commitment to the women she supported.
“Lynsay has been a midwife at PAHT for 10 years and her loss will be felt by the maternity team and colleagues from across the organization.
“Lynsay had tested positive for COVID-19 and died on Thursday (April 2). She followed national guidance and self-isolated at home when she developed symptoms and was not at work in the time before her death.
“Our thoughts are with Lynsay’s family and friends at this sad time.”
Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, the chief midwifery officer for England, said: “I was deeply moved and saddened to hear about the death of Lynsay Coventry.
“Lynsay was clearly a highly-regarded midwife whose dedication to women, babies, and their families will be remembered and cherished by her own family and her colleagues – my deepest thoughts are with them, her children, grandchildren, parents, and siblings.
“The outpouring of support for NHS staff as we respond to this outbreak has been extraordinary, but the best way for people to do their bit for midwives, nurses, doctors, and other NHS staff is to help protect us by following the Government’s advice to stay at home and save lives.”
Replaced!