Coronavirus: Three more emergency service workers die with COVID-19 in UK

Three more emergency service workers have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus, it has emerged.

They were a British Transport Police (BTP) detective, a paramedic and a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) worker, but it is not known whether they were infected as a result of their work.

The deaths come as it was announced that a further 888 people have died with coronavirus in hospitals in the UK, taking the total number to more than 15,000.

Marcia Pryce, 61, worked in GMP’s Force Intelligence Bureau and passed away with COVID-19 related symptoms on 2 April.

She was described by her family as a “powerhouse” and had been lovingly referred to by her god children as “Aunty Marce”.

Ms Pryce, who worked for the force for more than 30 years, was “someone you could count on” and a “positive influence”, her sister Amira Asantewa said.

“It could be a simple conversation, some advice, a beautifully baked cake or a fun evening out.

“She was passionate and full of life. You wanted to be on her team, you wanted her in your corner.”

She added: “Marcia would want us to go on, to keep each other close and have a cheeky drink to celebrate a life cut short, but a life full of love and joy, when we can once again meet each other.”

The family have asked that any tributes in Ms Pryce’s memory be donated to the British Heart Foundation.

The death of a North West Ambulance Service paramedic was also announced on Saturday.

The paramedic, who has not been named at their family’s request, was married with children and had worked for the service for “a considerable number of years”.

They died in hospital on Friday.

North West Ambulance Service chief executive Daren Mochrie described the worker as a “very dear colleague” and said the trust was “supporting our staff during this very sad time”.

“We would also like to thank our NHS colleagues for their professionalism and the compassionate care they have shown for our friend,” he added.

The BTP also announced the death of father-of-three Detective Constable John Coker, who has been remembered as “charismatic, kind and thoughtful”.

Mr Coker, who served with the BTP for more than 10 years, was “much loved and respected” and would be “greatly missed”, according to the force’s chief constable.

He died on Friday night after being taken ill with coronavirus symptoms on 22 March.

After his health failed to improve, he was admitted to hospital and transferred to an intensive care unit to receive critical treatment.

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Paying tribute to Mr Coker, who worked at Euston CID, BTP’s Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: “My thoughts are with John’s family, for whom the last three weeks have been incredibly difficult and who will be struggling to deal with this most distressing outcome.

“Local colleagues have been in constant contact with John’s wife and will pass on the heartfelt condolences of us all.

“BTP will continue that support over the coming days, weeks and months.

“Understandably this is a very difficult time for John’s wife and family and they have asked for privacy.”

He added: “My thoughts are also with the many officers and staff who worked alongside John, as we each come to terms with this truly awful news.

“John has been part of the BTP family for over a decade and became a detective constable within the CID department at Euston where he was much loved and respected by all those he worked with.

“His colleagues remember a man who was charismatic, kind and thoughtful and took everything in his stride. He will be greatly missed by all in the force.”

Mr Coker is survived by his wife and their three children.

(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Three more emergency service workers die with COVID-19 in UK