Filipino nurse Ken Lambatan. Image: Facebook/Ken Lee
A 33-year-old Filipino nurse working in London became a recent addition to the growing list of health workers dying from the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Ken Lambatan, a research nurse in the cardiology ward of St. George’s Hospital, died on Monday, April 27, according to a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for his family in the Philippines.
He was also involved with St. George’s Clinical Research Facility, the hospital said in a statement on Tuesday, April 28.
Lambatan was “very popular” with the hospital staff and was described as a “true gem” by those who knew him well, according to the hospital’s chief executive, Jacqueline Totterdell, and St. George’s, University of London principal Jenny Higham.
“He was dedicated to his role as a research nurse here at St. George’s, and was as popular with his patients as he was with colleagues,” they said.
Lambatan is one of over 100 National Health Service workers who have died while working in the frontlines of battling COVID-19 in the U.K.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, a total of 1,619 healthcare workers have tested positive for the coronavirus, as of April 30. Out of this number, 33 of them have died, while 250 have recovered. Cha Lino /ra
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