203 British health workers have died so far from coronavirus

Health workers – photo credit (Skynews)

The tragic death toll among NHS and care home workers has reached 203. As tributes were paid to the latest casualties, one expert fears a mental health crisis among those who survive.

Dr Rinesh Parmar of the Doctors Association UK said:

“The impact of what they have seen will only be realised in the weeks, months and years afterwards.”

Among new victims is father-of-four Augustine Agyei-Mensah a nurse in Northants.

His top boss Angela Hillery said:

“He cared for some of the most vulnerable.

“Lives have been transformed because of him.”

Gran Rachel Makombe Chikanda, 67, is another lost hero.

Though retired for two years, she went back to frontline nursing and died in London.

Renowned cancer specialist Dr Tariq Shafi, 61, a consultant at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, has died of the virus despite having no underlying health conditions.

His wife Varda said: “Even after he had developed symptoms and isolated at home, he continued to do telephone clinics.”

And Carol Challoner, a children’s social worker and gran in Liverpool, died after a “strong and courageous” fight.