Polish ambassador in UK pays tribute to Northampton hospital worker who died after contracting coronavirus

The ambassador for the Republic of Poland in the UK has paid tribute to a member of staff at Northampton General Hospital who died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Arkady Rzegocki commented after NGH announced that Joanna Klenczon, 34, who had worked at the hospital for 10 years and was a domestic supervisor at the time of her death on April 9.

Mr Rzegocki, writing on the Polish Embassy UK Facebook page, said: "Deeply saddened to hear about the death from coronavirus of Polish Northampton General Hospital worker Joanna Klenczon.

"She touched the lives of many people, and was well-liked and respected. She will be sorely missed, but she will not be forgotten. RIP"

In the tribute earlier this week, hospital chief executive Sonia Swart paid her own tribute and said Joanna would be missed by everyone who knew or worked with her.

"We are offering our support to our staff during this difficult time whilst we all mourn the loss of one of our team members.

"We would ask that the privacy of Joanna’s family, friends and colleagues is respected at this time."

A hospital spokesman said Joanna's colleagues will remember her as someone who was courteous, polite, a good organiser and team member who set high standards, and was prepared to go the extra mile.

Joanna was well-liked and respected by everyone she worked with, the spokesman added.

"She died after receiving the best care the hospital could provide and our thoughts are with her family," she added.