An NHS worker died in self-isolation at home after he was believed to have contracted coronavirus while treating an infected patient, a former colleague says.

Police officers had to break down a door to retrieve the body of dad-of-seven Thomas Harvey after he collapsed on Sunday morning.

The 57-year-old grandad, who worked at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford, north-east London, had spent weeks "fighting for his life" after developing symptoms including a cough, shortness of breath, weakness, and aches and pains all over his body.


He wasn't given personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a mask at work, and he didn't know if he was infected with coronavirus because he wasn't given a test, claims longtime friend and colleague of his who did not wish to be named.

She believes his death could have been prevented had he been given a Covid-19 test immediately and hospitalised for treatment.

She said: "This is not an old man, he was 57.

"He should have been taken into hospital and been looked after. Everybody has different symptoms.

"What made it worse was dying at home where Thomas and his family had memories together.

"If Thomas had died in hospital it would have been a lot easier.

"To have him at home, to see him at home suffering and the brutal way he died at home... I don’t know if they will ever recover from that."

Healthcare assistant Mr Harvey, who lived in Hackney, had three grandchildren, was married to his wife Marcia for 22 years, and was in his third decade working for the NHS.

His family remain in self-isolation and are unable to plan a funeral for him. His body was tested for coronavirus and his wife is waiting for the result.

An online crowdfunding campaign has been launched to raise money for his grief-stricken family.

Post Reply

Posted: at 2-04-2020 12:20 AM (4 years ago) | Hero

This is sad...

Posted: at 2-04-2020 07:01 AM (4 years ago) | Hero

very sad

Posted: at 2-04-2020 09:23 AM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac

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