T&T health care worker dies after contracting virus while cleaning COVID-19 ward
A hospital employee in Trinidad and Tobago died on Tuesday (June 8) following an outbreak of COVID-19 at her health care facility.
39-year-old Alicia Rullow is believed to have contracted the deadly virus while performing her general cleaning duties as a wardsmaid at the St Ann’s Hospital.
A part of Rullow’s duties included cleaning wards 2, 3 and 19, all areas where COVID-19 patients are treated.
Work colleagues shared with local media that Rullow had complained of feeling ill two days before her passing, but feared losing her job so continued attending work.
“She was very much concerned that if she had stayed home it would have reflected badly on her performance,” said Chairman of the Public Services’ Association, Preston George.
George shared that Rullow had only recently began working at the facility noting that she came onboard in December 2020 on a contract.
Principal medical officer Dr Maryam Abdool-Richards in late May 2021 confirmed there was an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus at the hospital.
Rullow leaves behind her 13-year-old son.