61yo Pinay nurse at LA hospital dies of COVID-19

A 61-year-old Filipina nurse working at a private hospital in Los, Angeles, California, has died after she went positive for COVID-19.

Celia Lardizabal Marcos, who worked at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, died on April 17, two days after she tested positive for the virus, news agency KTLA 5 reported.

Celia Lardizabal Marcos. --screencap from KTLA 5 video

Her son John Marcos said she had been working at the hospital since 2004, and worked directly with COVID-19 patients.

Celia only used a surgical mask due to lack of personal protective equipment, her son said.

"Regardless of the danger she was in, she would always worry about others," John said, who was not able to say goodbye to his mother.

Despite Celia's apprehension, she still went to work.

"She knew they needed her and that was all she needed as a reason," John added.

"It was definitely heartbreaking, especially knowing the fact that she passed away alone. Luckily at least where the hospital she was admitted in, it was also the hospital she was working in so at least there were co-workers that knew her that were able to be at least near her," he said.

John said he and his brother are planning to take Celia's ashes to the Philippines to give her a proper service and memorial. —Jamil Santos/LBG, GMA News