A nursing assistant who died after catching coronavirus has been described by friends and family as a ‘gem to his ward’ and an ‘amazing father’.
Ruben Muñoz Jr., who served the NHS for over a decade, died on Friday after testing positive, said the Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust (SASH).
The father-of-two’s colleagues at East Surrey Hospital said he ‘brightened up the room’ and the ward will ‘never be the same’.
His family said in a statement: ‘Ruben is a good son, a beloved husband and an amazing father to his two children. He was so proud of his NHS and Woodland Ward family.’
Mr Muñoz’s friend and colleague, Stephanie Padrilla-Madriaga, said it was ‘devastating’ to hear the news of his passing.
She said: ‘I thought it was a dream. I still cry processing what happened.
‘It gets surreal when someone you personally know loses their life because of this pandemic.
‘Ruben, who has served the NHS for a decade, was a gem to the ward and a star to our patients.
‘When he’s on shift it will always be a pizza day which most of the staff look forward to at the end of a 12.5 hour shift.
‘He brightens up the room when he is around. Patients remember him mostly because he was funny and witty.
‘The Woodland ward in East Surrey Hospital will never be the same without his presence.’
Michael Wilson, chief executive of SASH, said the death of Mr Muñoz had caused ‘deep sadness’ among his colleagues.
He said: ‘Ruben was a highly respected and talented nursing assistant who showed enormous dedication to caring for his patients every time he walked through our doors.
‘He was also a much-loved friend to so many people across our hospital and our team are incredibly saddened by his passing.
‘All of our thoughts are with Ruben’s family and we have been in touch with them to express our profound sorrow and condolences.’
Mr Muñoz’s colleagues have set up a fundraiser to raise money for his family to help cover the funeral costs, adding: ‘Rest in Paradise, Kuya Ruben! The Woodland Ward family will remember you forever!’
At least 50 NHS workers have died after catching Covid-19.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government had identified 27 health workers who have died during the pandemic. But tributes from local NHS trusts and loved ones suggest the true figure is almost double.
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