Baby saved as pregnant nurse dies

A nurse who died from coronavirus received an emergency caesarean that was able to save the life of her baby daughter.

Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, who worked as a nurse on a general ward at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital for five years, died on Sunday.

The baby was delivered successfully and is doing well, according to the hospital.

Ms Agyapong underwent an emergency caesarean to deliver her child after her condition deteriorated.

The Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said Ms Agyapong tested positive on 5 April and was admitted to the hospital she worked at on 7 April.

David Carter, chief executive of the 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.

“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 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.”

It is not yet known whether the baby has tested positive for the virus. It has been described as a “beacon of light at this very dark time”.

At least 30 NHS workers have died while working on the frontline of the coronavirus fight.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has promised to investigate every death of an NHS worker.

No 10 insisted 22 million items were delivered to 268 organisations across the NHS on Easter Monday, including more than 2.5 million aprons.