LIJ Forest Hills Emergency Room Clerk Dies From Coronavirus

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS – An emergency room clerk at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills hospital has died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

"We at LIJ Forest Hills are devastated by the loss of our colleague Prea Nankieshore from COVID-19," the hospital said in a statement. "She was among the brave team members dedicated to our community and patients during this challenging time."

Nankieshore began working for Northwell Health as a customer service representative in 2012 and in 2013 transferred to LIJ Forest Hills as a clerk in the emergency department, according to the hospital.

She leaves behind two young children.

"Our team at LIJ Forest Hills is a family that now mourns the loss of one of its own," Mary Curran, RN, chief nursing officer at LIJ Forest Hills in the statement. "But as we grieve, we will also persevere in caring for our patients with the grace and strength that Prea displayed day in and day out."

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help support her family.With 516 donors, it has raised over $32k.

In addition, as of Thursday there were 15 LIJ Forest Hills employees on furlough due to potential exposure to COVID-19.

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