Hero coronavirus nurse mum, 36, died moments after husband whispered ‘don’t worry about the kids’ during final hug
A HERO nurse tragically died from coronavirus moments after her husband whispered "don't worry about the kids" as they shared a final hug.
Areema Nasreen, 36, was killed by the virus she had worked so hard to fight - after catching it from patients at her hospital.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Her grieving family today told of the mum-of-three’s last moments - as they warned Brits to “fix up” over the deadly pandemic.
Areema’s sister Ash, 31, told the Sun Online at the family’s home in Walsall today: "We’re distraught. We are all just broken - we’ve just got no words.
“It feels so unreal that she’s gone. She was just a legend of our family.
"Areema was on the ventilator and just before she died, her husband said to her ‘don’t worry about the kids’.
“She started to cry. The doctors said please don’t hug her, because of the virus, but he said he had to.
“Then she passed away. We are all absolutely devastated."
Areema, who leaves children aged 8, 10, and 17, tested positive for Covid-19 after developing a soaring temperature, body aches and a cough.
Her illness came just four days after she tweeted a picture of her 2003 job offer letter from Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust.
She had written: "17 years on Allhamdulillah still going love my journey. @WalsallHcareNHS...House move finding special memories!!!"
The mum died shortly after midnight today and became the sixth confirmed NHS worker to succumb to coronavirus.
Areema was on the ventilator and just before she died, her husband said to her ‘don’t worry about the kids’.
Areema's sister, Ash
The younger sibling said: “She used to say to me ‘Ash, I love you so much, you’re my baby’. I looked up to her so much. I will never be able to forget her.
“I just want her to come back.
“She’s a martyr. She gave her life protecting others and caring for patients. She’s gone to paradise and we’ve lost someone that can never be replaced.”
The family now want Brits to abide by the lockdown rules amid concerns that traffic on the roads has increased.
Ash added: “People are dying - and it’s not just old people. My sister was young and she had no health conditions.
“I don’t want other people to go through what we are going through.
"They really need to fix up and take it seriously. Stop going out, stop driving around. Just stay at home and stay safe.”
Areema qualified as a staff nurse in January last year and worked at Walsall Manor Hospital's acute medical unit.
She had wanted to be a nurse since she was a teenager, after caring for her nan who suffered a stroke.
Now two NHS nurses have died from coronavirus - robbing six children of their hero mothers.
Aimee O'Rourke, 38, also sadly passed away after treating patients.
Mum-of-three Ms O'Rourke, 38, died at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, Kent, where she worked.
A third nurse is today being treated in intensive care at Southend Hospital in Essex. The man, in his 60s, is on a ventilator.
Aimee's heartbroken friends and family paid tribute and described her as “beautiful” and confirmed she died after “losing her fight to coronavirus”.
They wrote: "Aimee was a beautiful woman and a valued NHS nurse. Aimee caught the Covid-19 virus and sadly lost her fight to coronavirus.
"Please give as much as you can to help Aimee's family, just as Aimee gave her life to make sure other people survived this virus."
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
Aimee's daughter Megan added: “It was us 4 against the world!
"Now us 3 will pull together more than ever!!! Look at all the lives you looked after and all the family’s you comforted when patients passed away.
"You are an angel and you will wear your NHS crown forever more because you earned that crown the very first day you started!!!"
Health Secretary Matt Hancock today paid tribute to the NHS staff who have died while serving the nation.
He said: "It shows the incredible bravery of every member of the NHS who goes into work knowing that these dangers are there. And I think the whole nation is grateful."
And this afternoon England's chief nurse Ruth May pleaded with the nation to stay at home this weekend.
She said: "This weekend is going to be very warm and it will be very tempting to go out and enjoy those summer rays.
"But please, I ask you to remember Aimee and Areema. Please stay at home for them."
Areema had previously written: “I just wanted to be able to look after people, particularly those who are elderly and vulnerable.
"I cry every morning because I am so happy that I have finally realised my dream of becoming a nurse."
The other five doctors to have died after contracting coronavirus include 68-year-old Dr Alfa Sa'adu, mental health nurse Thomas Harvey and Dr Amged El-Hawrani, 55.
Mr Harvey, 57, had expressed concern about the lack of protective equipment for frontline workers, according to his family.
He was an experienced nurse, who had dedicated more than 20 years of his life to the NHS before his tragic death on Sunday 29 March.
His 19-year-old daughter Tamira says that he was "let down" and his death could have been prevented.
Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, is believed to have been the first doctor in the UK to have been killed by Covid-19 and Dr Adil El Tayar, 63, passed away shortly after.
Last night, Brits loudly applauded NHS heroes for putting their lives on the line to fight coronavirus.
Millions of people came to their front doors and onto balconies to proudly clap for those on the frontline - as the quarantined Prime Minister joined the salute.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
The PM told those gathered outside: "I am not allowed out really, I am just standing here."
Police officers and firefighters sounded their sirens to show their appreciation, as other medics grinned and applauded outside their hospitals.
The first emotional Clap For Carers took place on Thursday, March 26, and is expected to continue on a weekly basis.
ITV paused its programming as part of the tribute while Brits - including celebs like David Beckham, Paddy McGuiness and Rita Ora - whooped and cheered on the NHS and frontline key workers.
Last week millions cheered and set off fireworks to celebrate all those helping the country stay afloat.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Earlier Health Secretary Matt Hancock, speaking publicly for the first time since catching the killer bug, also paid tribute to them.
He told medics: "Many of those who died from the NHS were people who came to this country to make a difference - and they did, and they've given their lives in sacrifice and we salute them."
It comes after the coronavirus pandemic reached a grim milestone with the number of people infected worldwide soaring past one million.
