Longtime University of Miami healthcare employee dies from coronavirus, university says
A longtime University of Miami medical employee has died from COVID-19, the university said Tuesday.
The employee, who worked in the University of Miami Health System, passed away recently, said Joanna Palmer, the director of medical communications.
“The University of Miami Health System is mourning the recent loss of a longtime employee, who recently passed away as a result of COVID-19 complications,” UM said in a statement. “The entire health system family is grieving and sends an outpouring of love and condolences to family and friends who have asked for privacy during this difficult time.”
The university did not say when the employee died or how old they were.
UM has notified anyone who had been in contact with the person.
“These are incredibly challenging times and the entire University of Miami community is beyond grateful for all health care providers and anyone standing on the front lines of this pandemic,” the university said.
Earlier this month, a University of Miami student at the school’s Coral Gables campus was confirmed to have COVID-19. A member of UM’s medical campus community also tested presumptive positive.
On Friday, Miami-Dade’s first death from COVID-19 was confirmed by the state’s department of health. Israel Carrera, 40, who lived in North Miami, died on Thursday.
As of Tuesday evening, the county’s death toll was listed as seven, according to state health department records. On Tuesday evening, Florida reported 6,741 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 85 deaths. Miami-Dade has 2,123 confirmed positive cases while Broward County has 1,219.
