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Coronavirus deaths hit hard in health care community

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 Hospitalā€™s 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.

ā€œAs 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. ā€œWe 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.

ā€œDevin was a dedicated radiology technician in Jackson Memorial Hospitalā€™s Emergency Department for more than a year," a hospital spokeswoman wrote in a statement. ā€œHe will be greatly missed by his colleagues and by the health system.ā€

Devin Francis (WPLG)

On Wednesday, the local health care community also lost longtime gynecologist Luis Caldera-Nieves, who died from COVID-19 complications.


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