A NHS nurse died with coronavirus after sitting with a patient who later tested positive for the disease, an inquest heard.
Dominga David, 62, was a nurse for 16 years at the University Hospital Llandough when she became unwell and was sent home on March 31.
South Wales Central coroner’s court in Pontypridd heard Mrs David went home as she had a temperature, before being admitted to the same hospital six days later.
She was admitted to the University Hospital Llandough with a cough, fever and muscle pain on April 5 and died in the intensive care unit on May 26.
Nurse Dominga David, 62, died on an intensive care unit at University Hospital Llandough on May 26 after sitting with a patient who later tested positive for the disease, an inquest heard
Mrs David worker at the same hospital when she became unwell and was sent home on March 31, before being admitted six days later with a cough, fever and muscle pain on April 5
A post-mortem examination was not carried out but hospital consultants provided a provisional cause of death as ischemic bowel, Covid-19 and hypertension.
Coroner’s assistant Lauren Howitt told the short hearing: ‘Mrs David had been a nurse for many years and was working on ward West 5 of Llandough Hospital.
‘She was usually fit and well. She was sent home on March 31 as she had a temperature.
‘She had been sitting with a surgical patient who later tested positive for Covid-19.
‘She developed further symptoms and was admitted to the University Hospital Llandough with a cough, fever and myalgia.’
A CT scan was carried out on May 25 and clinicians felt her condition was ‘unsurvivable’, the inquest heard.
Mrs David, who was born in the Philippines and lived in Penarth, died the following day.
Mrs David was an ‘integral part of ward life on West 5 in University Hospital Llandough since 2004’, says the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Coroner Graeme Hughes said an inquest would take place as there was ‘reason to suspect that her death may be related to her employment’.
He adjourned the hearing until a full inquest, which was listed for June 16 2021 at 1pm.
The coroner offered his sympathies to Mrs David’s family and friends.
After her death, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said the ‘exceptionally hard worker’ had died after testing positive for Covid-19.
A spokeswoman said Mrs David joined the health board in 2004 when she came to the UK from the Philippines to begin a nursing adaptation programme.
‘She has been an integral part of ward life on West 5 in University Hospital Llandough since 2004 and will be remembered as an exceptionally hard worker and a respectful, kind and compassionate person when interacting with patients, families and colleagues alike,’ she said.
‘She was part of the ward family and was well-loved by everyone. She is survived by her son Renzie, to whom we send our deepest condolences.’
The health board’s website describes West 5 as a trauma and orthopaedics ward to care for patients through their recovery after planned procedures to improve their health and quality of life.
The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board says: ‘She will be remembered as an exceptionally hard worker and a respectful, kind and compassionate person’
Mrs David’s former patients expressed their condolences on social media after hearing of her passing.
Wanda Webb said: ‘Terrible news. I was nursed by this lady following a spinal operation.
‘She was very kind and she worked really hard to make me comfortable when I was in pain.
‘My thoughts and love go out to her family and colleagues at her most tragic loss.’
Mrs David died on the same day as theatre assistant Allan Macalalad (pictured with his son Justin and wife Elsie), 48, from Cardiff, who also worked at University Hospital Llandough
Neil Thomas added: ‘Dominga looked after me during serveral admissions on West 5 with my ongoing battles with Sepsis.
‘She was hard working, friendly, compassionate and an integral part of the nursing team. Please pass on my condolences to her family and to the team on West 5.’
Mrs David died on the same day as theatre assistant Allan Macalalad, 48, who also worked at University Hospital Llandough.
The carpenter by trade died at Royal Glamorgan Hospital in South Wales after testing positive for Covid-19.
Mr Macalalad, from Cardiff, leaves behind son Justin and wife Elsie, who is also a nurse.