Nurse with suspected Covid-19 was 'spirited friend' who 'loved NHS job'
A nurse who died with suspected Covid-19 has been remembered as a "spirited friend with a loving heart" who "loved his NHS job".
Donald Suelto, who worked at Hammersmith Hospital in west London, died after going into self-isolation with coronavirus symptoms, friend and fellow NHS nurse Alejandro Fernandez said.
Last month, Mr Suelto had changed his Facebook profile picture to an image of him wearing a protective mask emblazoned with the words: "I can't stay at home, I'm a healthcare worker."
In a tribute to the nurse, originally from the Philippines, Mr Fernandez said: "I still can't believe it.
"You were never alone. As I said, you are a hero, everyone knows that. So proud of you.
"He was an enthusiastic nurse, full of life, loved his NHS job and a spirited friend with a loving heart. Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family. Rest in Peace Donds."
Mr Fernandez told the PA news agency he was "friendly to everyone" and shared a message written by Mr Suelto in his native language last Friday in which he said he had been in quarantine for eight days and suffering from symptoms including fever and a dry cough.
Family members also posted tributes online and changed their profile pictures to images of candles and pictures of Mr Suelto.
Mr Fernandez said Mr Suelto had not been tested for Covid-19 before his death as he went into self-isolation after experiencing symptoms.
A spokeswoman for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said: "We can confirm that, very sadly, a nurse based at Hammersmith Hospital has died.
"Cause of death is not yet clear.
"We are in touch with next of kin and are focusing on support for them as well as for colleagues at this very difficult time."
Meanwhile, tributes were paid to nurse Rebecca Mack, 29, who died on Sunday after going into self-isolation with coronavirus symptoms.
Her friend Sarah Bredin-Kemp said Ms Mack, of Morpeth, Northumberland, was a "devoted friend" and an "incredible nurse" who will be "so missed".
She said in a Facebook post: "We lost our beautiful Rebecca Mack on Sunday to Covid-19.
"She was a devoted friend, an incredible nurse and an unapologetically imperfect person.
"She was one of a kind. And she'll be missed wholeheartedly by so many."
Ms Mack had worked as a children's nurse at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary before going on to a job with NHS 111.
Newcastle Hospitals posted a tribute of "heartfelt sympathies and condolences" to Ms Mack.
Published: by Radio NewsHub