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Rizal Manalo, 51, died on Sunday after falling ill with the virus, with his tearful colleagues unable to save him. The Daily Express understands he was the 31st healthcare worker originally from the Philippines to die on the frontline of Britain’s battle with Covid-19. Of the 350 health workers who have died, 219 worked in frontline and back office NHS roles, while 131 worked in private care homes.

Rizal, known as Zaldy, was a father of two who was treated at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Denbighshire, where he had worked as a nurse since 2001.

Grieving wife Agnes said: “Zaldy is a hard-working person who loved his job dearly. “He’s a good husband and a loving father to his children. He protected and cared for us.”

Colleague Karen Davies said: “He was a caring and compassionate member of the team, a true gentleman. A colleague and friend said Zaldy was known as their ‘kuya’, an old brother, within the Filipino community.

“He loved to socialise and sing, especially in karaoke.”

Rab McEwan, managing director at Glan Clwyd Hospital, said: “Zaldy was a popular and respected member of the nursing team and we will miss him greatly.

“It’s always hard when someone who serves the NHS dies before their time.

“We are desolate, and send our deepest sympathies to Zaldy’s family, colleagues and friends.”

Rizal is the second North Wales health worker to die from coronavirus after Andrew Treble, 57, passed away in April.

Mr Treble was a theatre assistant and had worked at Wrexham Maelor Hospital for almost 40 years.

As of Monday this week, all hospital workers in England are now expected to wear a face mask at all times, according to new guidance.

The new measure was announced during a Downing Street daily briefing to offer “even greater protection” to hospital workers.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “It is critically important to stop the spread among staff, patients and visitors.” But the chief executive of NHS Providers has claimed NHS trusts were not consulted before the Government announced the new face mask rule changes.

Chris Hopson said trust leaders felt “completely in the dark” about the “significant and complex” changes. The British Medical Association wants the guidelines to apply to all health and social care settings rather than just hospitals.

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