A HEREFORD hospital worker has died after testing positive for coronavirus, the NHS has said.

Dave Morgan, logistics team leader in the theatres team at Hereford County Hospital, died on January 28, the Wye Valley NHS Trust said.

His wife has paid tribute to him, saying the family is devastated.

Mr Morgan, 59, was born in Hereford and went to the local Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School and Hereford Sixth Form College before joining the RAF where he worked as an electronics technician working on flight simulators.

He had worked in theatres at Hereford County Hospital since 2014 and was described as much loved and everyone’s go-to guy at the heart of the theatres’ team by colleagues.

The trust said his knowledge of theatres, its equipment, cost and location was encyclopaedic and he was always ready with a kind word, a helpful nod or a funny story.

RELATED NEWS:

Mr Morgan's wife, Penny, said: “The whole family is truly devastated at the sudden loss of David. He was my amazing husband and incredible father and grandfather.

“The sadness we feel is more than words can express.

“We would like to thank Hereford County Hospital for the compassionate and outstanding care of David and the extraordinary support from family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.

“All donations will be forwarded to Aylestone Park, a favourite place for all the family and pet dog, Emma.”

Jane Ives, the trust’s managing director, said: “Dave was a great example of what we stand for in this trust.

"He played a big part in co-ordinating theatre supplies across the surgical division and will be remembered for his diligence and loyalty.

“Colleagues have vowed that Dave’s vision for more efficient logistics will be completed as his legacy in the theatre department.

“The whole WVT family is deeply saddened by losing Dave, and our thoughts are especially with his wife, Penny, and his family.

“Our condolences go out to them at this time - we know that through the passion and professionalism he brought to a key role in the theatres team, many patients – most of whom never met Dave – will have had successful operations and gone on to make full recoveries.”

His funeral is to take place this Friday, February 19, at Hereford Crematorium and the hearse will drive along Stonebow Road and through the hospital grounds, where staff will have the opportunity to line the pavements in honour of their popular colleague