Six NHS workers who died after contracting Covid-19 were honoured in a memorial at the sanctuary room in the Watford FC grounds.

The West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust organised a memorial event at the TeamWestHerts Sanctuary in Vicarage Road yesterday (April 29), the day of the national minute of silence for key workers who died.

During the memorial six people - including some former members of the trust - were paid tribute as staff exchanged their memories.

Two workers, which were previously unreported, were among those remembered during the event.

A table was set up in memory of the key workers who have died.

Sharad Bhatt

Not pictured

Mr Bhatt worked in the central booking team for outpatients’ appointments, before contracting the virus.

The trust confirmed he was working there since 2017.

In memory of Mr Bhatt, the trust said: “He was funny and always willing to help and ready for a challenge.

“He was committed to his position and well-liked by all the team.”

Stephanie Wilcocks

Not pictured

Ms Wilcocks worked as a matron and ward sister at both Watford and St Albans hospitals before retiring in 2005.

However, the trust honoured the former employee after she died of Covid-19 this year.

They said she was a nursing mentor, a Girl Guide leader and a lay minister.

John Alagos

Watford Observer:

Mr Alagos, 23, was a healthcare assistant who was the first worker at the trust to have died from Covid-19.

He fell ill during a 12-hour shift at Watford General Hospital.

His mother Gina Gustilo said he did not leave work early despite feeling ill, and he complained of suffering a headache and a high temperature during the night shift.

Ms Gustilo later found her son unconscious in his room. He was confirmed dead on April 3.

Khalid Jamil

Watford Observer:

Mr Jamil was a healthcare assistant working in the Bluebell ward at Watford General Hospital.

He first became ill on April 5. A week later, he was taken into an intensive care unit and died on April 14.

His daughter Sumaiyah told the Observer that Mr Jamil was a “phenomenal father” the “heart of our family”.

Sumaiyah has also recognised all the NHS staff who are "working tirelessly" on the frontline to save lives, describing them as "true heroes".

Wilma Banaag, also known as Ate Wilma

Watford Observer:

Mrs Bannag served 19 years as a nurse at the Croxley Ward in Watford General Hospital before her death on April 17.

Her friend Maria Socorro Del Rosario said Mrs Banaag was “so hardworking” that she was still working in a Covid-19 ward “up to her last days”.

The West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust have also paid tribute and said she had an “unforgettable and infectious smile”.

Dr Alfa Saadu

Watford Observer:

Dr Alfa Saadu, 68, returned to Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Welwyn after retiring in 2016, to help his former colleagues battle the virus.

The doctor, who dedicated nearly 40 years to the NHS, died on March 31.

He was a consultant physician between 1994 and 2011 at the trust,

He was also a divisional clinical director for acute medical care and deputy medical director and worked alongside various other London and Hertfordshire trusts during his longstanding career.

The trust say he has been described as a “big personality” and was a “big-hearted family man”.

His son Dani Saadu told the BBC that his father refused to go hospital as he did not want to take up hospital beds others would need.

Council memorial

Watford Observer:

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor led a minute’s silence at the town hall in memory of key workers who have died.

He said: “Those who have died are heroes, as are the people at our hospital going to workday in day, risking their lives to help others.

“Wherever we are, I hope we can stop what we are doing and remember them.

“I am proud of everyone in our town who is following the NHS advice and staying home to stop the spread of this dreadful virus.”