A Boholana nurse in United Kingdom who was married to an Illongo from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental succumbed to COVID-19 last February 5, the hospital where she worked confirmed.
On Monday 8 February, staff from across the Trust joined together in the plaza for a minute’s silence to remember Estrella Catalan, an Emergency Department nurse of Nortfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).
Estrella’s colleagues in the Emergency Department at the James Paget also paid their respects with a minute’s silence and round of applause and by leaving comments on their Facebook page.
Staff from other Trusts and hundreds of members of the public also expressed their condolences and appreciation on social media.
Catalan had been receiving treatment in the hospital’s Critical Care Complex after contracting the virus.
Sam Higginson, Chief Executive at NNUH, said: “Our deepest and heartfelt condolences are with Estrella’s loved ones and friends at this very difficult time and with all those who worked alongside Estrella and knew her.
“Estrella has worked for the Trust for more than 18 years, joining in September 2002, working as a staff nurse on Gunthorpe and Heydon wards, and was a hugely respected, loved and dedicated member of the Emergency Department team and the Acute Stroke Team. She was a wonderful person and a caring and conscientious nurse, who loved to teach and mentor students; she will be terribly missed.
“This is a heart-breaking reminder of the situation we are facing every day to help others and we want to thank our staff for their ongoing courage and commitment during the pandemic.”
David White, Chairman at NNUH, said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to Estrella’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time. Every Covid-19 death is a tragedy and to lose one of our own is even more poignant. Our thoughts are with all her colleagues and the NNUH staff who did their very best for Estrella.”
