HOSPITAL staff have paid tributes to two 'highly valued and respected colleagues' who died having tested positive for coronavirus.

Elvira Bucu, a healthcare assistant based at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot, and Prem Lal, an associate practitioner in Histopathology at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, passed away on 3 April and 19 April respectively.

The pair were remembered at a minute's silence, held on Tuesday, April 28, to commemorate key workers who have died from Covid-19.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust said they were both "dedicated, highly valued and respected colleagues who were popular with their teammates."

Described by her colleagues as a 'ray of sunshine', Elvira passed away at home as she was self-isolating and Prem was being treated by colleagues at Wexham Park Hospital's intensive care unit.

Kind-hearted Elvira was described has never having had a bad word to say about anyone and she was always positive.

Prem’s colleagues described her as a ‘mother figure’ in the department who was well-know and hugely respected within Histopathology and the entire pathology team.

The hospitals said: "The deaths of Prem and Elvira come as a huge blow to their workmates and the entire trust, and our hearts go out to their families and loved ones at this time. They will be greatly missed.

"The Trust is offering support for their families and for their colleagues."