A GP who made a “significant” contribution to the NHS over three decades is among the latest healthcare workers to die from Covid-19.

Kamlesh Kumar Masson, 78, was a locum GP who founded Milton Road surgery in Grays, Essex, in 1985 and worked there until 2017, after which he did locum work across Thurrock and Basildon.



His family, who described him as someone who “would have wanted to practise medicine for many more years to come”, said he last worked on 12 March, adding that his career “came to an unexpected end last month, when he unfortunately contracted Covid-19”.

Masson is the seventh GP in the UK, and the fourth from Essex, to die from coronavirus. His family said he was “an honest, kind and generous man who was deeply respected by anyone who was privileged to cross paths with him. He was jovial, funny and kind, always wanting to make the best of any situation.”



He was well known locally and recognised as a “dedicated, determined, positive individual who would always do his utmost to help in all endeavours”, they said.



Masson completed his medical training in India and also worked as a doctor in east Africa. He worked in different parts of the UK before settling in Essex in 1975.

Dr Anil Kallil, a fellow GP and the chairman of NHS Thurrock clinical commissioning group (CCG), said: “We were very sad to hear of the passing of Dr Masson. He was a well-respected and liked GP in Thurrock, with a significant contribution over the last 30 years in the borough caring for patients and providing support.

“Later he provided GP services in both Thurrock and Basildon. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr Masson for his commitment and passion and our condolences to his family for their loss.”

The NHS administrator

Laura Tanner. Photograph: Kevin Tanner/PA

Another NHS worker, Laura Tanner, 51, who worked as a locality administrator in Essex, died in the arms of her husband, Kevin, as she waited for paramedics.

Kevin Tanner said his wife was “a lovely person, kind and she loved nature. She had a wicked sense of humour and was a very, very good mother to her children and a fantastic wife. She is going to be sorely missed by everyone.”

He said: “She was a locality administrator for NHS Basildon & Brentwood CCG – she was the administration side of the NHS. She put together care home packages in local area and stuff like that.”

He said his wife started feeling unwell around 17 March, on his birthday. The couple both developed symptoms but his wife’s got worse and they called a paramedic, who helped lower her temperature.



About six days later, her condition worsened and she developed a severe shortness of breath. “She never went into hospital – she died in my arms at home … It was horrific for me … watching my wife come down that morning panicking and so out of breath. I was making calls, not sure what to do … She just passed [away] and slipped like that,” he said.

Quick guide What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms in the UK Show Hide Symptoms are defined by the NHS as either: a high temperature - you feel hot to touch on your chest or back

a new continuous cough - this means you've started coughing repeatedly NHS advice is that anyone with symptoms should stay at home for at least 7 days.

If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine. But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days. If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days. If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible. After 7 days, if you no longer have a high temperature you can return to your normal routine. If you still have a high temperature, stay at home until your temperature returns to normal. If you still have a cough after 7 days, but your temperature is normal, you do not need to continue staying at home. A cough can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.

Staying at home means you should: not go to work, school or public areas

not use public transport or taxis

not have visitors, such as friends and family, in your home

not go out to buy food or collect medicine – order them by phone or online, or ask someone else to drop them off at your home You can use your garden, if you have one. You can also leave the house to exercise – but stay at least 2 metres away from other people. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, use the NHS 111 coronavirus service to find out what to do. Source: NHS England on 23 March 2020

“At times [throughout her illness] I thought she was getting better. I was looking after her and making sure she was getting food and paracetamol. Sometimes she would feel better and then get upstairs and then she would be worse.”

Tanner attempted CPR with the help of paramedics on the phone, who then took over and treated her on arrival. He added that he was surprised that after his wife’s death none of the family were tested. “We were just told to isolate for 14 days and let them know if we had symptoms. We did not know what to do and had to make phone calls asking: where do we stand?”

The care home nurse

Larni Zuniga, 53, a nurse at CHD Living’s Surrey Hills care home, has also died. The medic, originally from the Philippines, was granted British citizenship in February. He contracted the infection two weeks ago.

Zuniga, 54, was treated in intensive care at St Thomas’ hospital in London at the same time as the prime minister. His friend Arnold Barrientos said: “Larni had absolutely sacrificed a lot for his family. He worked hard and he battled hard times of not seeing his family just to ensure a comfortable life for them.”

The nurse

Mahadaye Jagroop, described as a respected and loved nurse, died at Birmingham’s Heartlands hospital, where she worked, on 22 April.

Lisa Stalley-Green, the chief nurse at University hospitals Birmingham NHS foundation trust, said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of one of our highly valued colleagues, Mahadaye Jagroop.

“Mary was a respected and loved member of our team and touched the lives of many in her distinguished career as a nurse. This was demonstrated by the beautiful and heartfelt tribute by colleagues at Heartlands hospital this morning.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mary’s family, friends and colleagues at this sad time.”