Hollywood nurse dies just 2 days after testing positive for Covid-19

Nurse Celia Lardizabal Marco was dedicated to her work at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in California. FACEBOOK

HOLLYWOOD, California — A 61-year-old Filipino nurse at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, died on April 17, just two days after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Celia Lardizabal Marco had worked at the hospital since 2004 and was working directly with coronavirus patients.

“It was definitely heartbreaking… She passed away alone, without family by her side,” her son John Marco told KTLA News. “The hospital she was admitted in, it was also the hospital she was working in, so at least there were coworkers who knew her.”

Celia could use only a surgical mask rather than an N95 mask because of the shortage of personal protective equipment, according to her son.

“She knew they needed her and that was all she needed as a reason,” he said.

Another nurse at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center says they don’t have the personal protective equipment that they need and that Celia’s death is a reason to “speak up and protect ourselves and our family.”

“I want people to remember she’s not just a regular nurse,” Marcos said. “She went above and beyond and she made the ultimate sacrifice unfortunately.”

The hospital said they lost a vital member of their team and they will continue to provide staff with appropriate levels of personal protective equipment that’s required with existing guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Marco has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his mother’s funeral expenses.