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Puerto Rico College of Practical Care spokesman Julio Irson Ramos confirmed Tuesday the death of a 42-year-old nurse by COVID-19.
The victim, who became the 12th nurse to die of the virus on the island, was in critical condition for about two weeks.
According to Irson Ramos, the health professional identified as Christine Reyes Lorenzana was a professional nurse and epidemiologist nurse.
“At such a hopeful moment, because the COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Puerto Rico and we have started vaccinating all health professionals, because it is a bucket of cold water that falls on one, because life tells us everything time that this is fragile and that a nurse like Christine, dedicated to ensuring the control of infections and a woman with all the techniques, we have already seen how she was affected “, said the spokesperson The new day.
Despite the fact that it was initially reported that the nurse worked at the Dr. Susoni Metropolitan Hospital in Arecibo, the executive director of the institution, Jormalyz Medina, denied the information.
“However, we are united with the pain that affects the relatives, friends, relatives and colleagues of the deceased nurse and with all those who have had any loss caused by this disease. Condolences “, Medina declared in written statements.
In turn, Irson Ramos urged hospitals not to lower their guard and provide the necessary protective equipment to their employees. Likewise, Irson Ramos invited the nurses to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“It is important that if the vaccine reaches our hospital, we agree to be vaccinated. Vaccines give life and we are trying to achieve this with this vaccine, to completely eliminate this virus that destroys humanity and that millions of people have died and are affected in the world, “he said.
Of the 12 nurses who died of COVID-19 on the island, 11 were active nurses and one was retired.
According to the Department of Health, 1,391 people have died of the virus so far in the pandemic, while 535 remain hospitalized. Of this total, 93 are confined in an intensive care unit and 97 are connected to an artificial respirator.