Nurse who battled coronavirus with UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson in intensive care dies

An NHS nurse, who fought for his life alongside Boris Johnson, has died from coronavirus.

Larni Zuniga, 54, passed away after battling the disease in intensive care at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital. The nurse, from the Philippines, was being treated in the same intensive therapy unit like the Prime Minister, his family confirmed.

Tributes have been paid to the married father who “touched the lives of the people around him.” Mr. Zuniga’s cousin, who is also a nurse, said: “Larni was a true professional, who touched the lives of many.

“He made a tremendous difference to a lot of people’s lives and he was highly respected by patients and colleagues alike.”

Mr. Zuniga, who worked at a care home in Bagshot, Surrey, died after a three-week fight in intensive care at St Thomas’s, where he was said to be “one of the sickest patients”.

The much-loved health worker had worked in the UK for 12 years and had not seen his family for five years, Daily Star reports. He was in the process of applying for his wife, Edith, to join him in the country before he was struck down by Covid-19.

Writing on a GoFundMe charity page, friend Arnold Barrientos said he wanted to raise money to support Mr. Zuniga’s family in memory of “this hero”. Mr. Barrientos said: “Larni had absolutely sacrificed a lot for his family.

“He worked hard and he battled hard times of not seeing his family just to ensure a comfortable life for them. “He influenced a lot of people with his godly counseling and loving, warm personality.