Daughter pays tribute to NHS mum who dies after contracting coronavirus

The daughter of an NHS nurse has paid tribute to her mother who died after contracting COVID-19.

Mum-of-three Aimee O-Rourke was being treated for coronavirus at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate, Kent, where she worked.

She died yesterday and it remains unclear whether she had any underlying health conditions before contracting the virus.

Her daughter, Megan, described her mother as an “angel” and admired her for all the families she looked after during the pandemic.

Tributes have been paid to an NHS nurse Aimee O-Rourke who died after contracting the coronavirus

In a heartfelt tribute the young girl said: “It was us four against the world, now us three will pull together more than ever.

“Look at all the lives you looked after and all the families you comforted when patients passed away.

“You are an angel and you will wear your NHS crown forever because you earned that crown the very first day you started.

“Your Meggy misses you beyond belief.

“One day when I have children of my own I will tell your grandchildren about their GG (glamorous gran) which you wanted to be called, every single day.

“I can’t believe one day I will have to go through labour without my mummy.

“I could go on all day long and have so many things to say but I have to be strong. Night night mummy.”

Just hours before, Areema Nasreen, a 36-year-old NHS nurse from Walsall in the West Midlands, died after contracting the coronavirus.

She was being treated at Walsall Manor Hospital where she worked in the acute medical unit and later died.

It is understood she had no underlying health conditions.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust's chief executive Richard Beeken said Ms Nasreen had "always dreamed of being a nurse", and her family said she had been considered fit and healthy before she contracted the virus.

"Any death is devastating but losing one of our own is beyond words," he said.

"She was a very, very, respected and valued member of the team on the acute medical unit and they are absolutely distraught.

"Her dedication to her role and her popularity amongst her colleagues is obvious to see with the outpouring of grief.

"She always said that she was so blessed to have the role of a nurse which she absolutely loved because she wanted to feel like she could make a difference - and you did, Areema, you will be very sadly missed."

Ruth May, the Chief Nursing Officer for England, has paid tribute to two nurses.

Ahead of the second weekend in lockdown, when warm weather is forecast for parts of the UK, she said: “I ask you to remember Aimee and Areema.

“Please stay at home for them.”

During a daily update from Downing Street today, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed two healthcare workers have also died in the past 24 hours after contracting coronavirus including 57-year-old healthcare assistant Thomas Harvey from northeast London.