MIAMI, Fla. ā One was a radiology technician, the other a therapist who helped patients with breathing.
The front-line health care workers are two more huge losses to the South Florida community as a result of the coronavirus.
Devin Francis had just celebrated his 44th birthday a was engaged to be married in a couple of months. The radiology technician in Jackson Memorial Hospitalās emergency department died Wednesday of complications of COVID-19.
Jorge Mateo, who was a longtime respiratory therapist at Coral Gables Hospital, also lost his life after becoming infected with the virus.
āAs a respiratory therapist at Coral Gables Hospital for more than four decades, the loss of Jorge Mateo is felt throughout our entire community,ā the hospital said in a statement. āWe are deeply saddened by the passing of a beloved member of our staff, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.ā
The union representing workers like Francis called him a dedicated public servant and frontline warrior at Jackson.
Francisā little sister, reached over social media, said she and his fiancĆ© are too distraught to talk.
Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of Devin Dale Francis, @AFSCME Local 1363 member, dedicated public servant, and frontline warrior at Jackson Memorial Hospital taken from us by this horrible virus. #covid19hero pic.twitter.com/dA9fl8M3C0
— AFSCME Florida (@AFSCMEFL) April 9, 2020
āDevin was a dedicated radiology technician in Jackson Memorial Hospitalās Emergency Department for more than a year," a hospital spokeswoman wrote in a statement. āHe will be greatly missed by his colleagues and by the health system.ā
On Wednesday, the local health care community also lost longtime gynecologist Luis Caldera-Nieves, who died from COVID-19 complications.