Family tributes to care worker Carol, 56
A care worker died a week after falling ill with suspected Covid-19.
Carol Jamabo, from Bury, is believed to be the first care worker to be identified publicly after succumbing to the killer virus.
The 56-year-old, employed by Cherish Elderly Care, started suffering with symptoms around a week before her death on April 1.
The mother-of-two served the public as a key worker for over 25 years after moving to the UK from Nigeria in the early 1990s.
She previously worked in both the prison service and as an NHS administrator at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London.
Her family said she moved to Bury to be closer to her two children, Tonye Selema, 25, and Abiye Selema, 22, a student at Leeds University.
Her youngest son has also now tested positive for the virus, according to the family.
Ms Jamabo, who suffered with asthma, became suddenly unwell at home with her youngest son and was then rushed to hospital.
Her condition deteriorated, according to nephew, Dakuro Fiberesima, from Purfleet, Essex.
She was transferred to an intensive care unit and put on a ventilator at Salford Royal Hospital but could not be saved.
Mr Fiberesima said: “It happened so rapidly. No one was by her side.
“You wonder if you were there, whether that would make a difference?
“She was just an amazing aunt. Growing up in an African background, the aunts are very strict, but she was fun and had such a positive character.
“She would have been well deserving of a round of applause for her hard work and commitment over the years.”
Mr Fiberesima, wrote a tribute on the Go Fund Me website to appeal to help the family pay for her funeral costs.
He added: “She was a fun loving person with many friends and will be remembered for her uplifting, joyful and enthusing personality.”
More than £5,260 has been raised, topping the £4,500 target.