- Dr. Joseph Costa, the chief of the critical care division at Mercy Medical Center who was treating coronavirus patients, died from COVID-19 over the weekend, the hospital confirmed in a Facebook post.
- Costa, who was 56-years-old, died in his husband's arms.
- He was described by those who knew him as a kind, loving guy.
- His husband David Hart told the Baltimore Sun that he's frustrated when he sees people not wearing masks.
- Almost 114,000 healthcare workers have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 576 have died, according to the CDC.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
A top Baltimore ICU doctor who was treating coronavirus patients died in his husband's arms after battling coronavirus, the Baltimore Sun reported.
Dr. Joseph Costa was the chief of the critical care division at Mercy Medical Center; he was 56 years old.
"It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Joseph J. Costa, M.D., Chief, Division of Critical Care at Mercy," Mercy Medical Center wrote in a statement on his death in a Facebook post. "Joe was more than a trusted colleague; he was also a true friend to many. He dedicated his life and career to caring for the sickest patients. And when the global pandemic came down upon us, Joe selflessly continued his work on the front lines—deeply committed to serving our patients and our City during this time of great need. His memory will live on as an example to us all."
According to the Sun, Costa's husband of 28 years, David Hart called him "a scientist who 'lived through his brain.'"
"Those who cared for Joe were his best friends," Hart told the outlet. "A housekeeper who knelt by his bed and shook with grief said, 'I'm now losing my best friend.'"
The Sun added that 20 of his co-workers placed their "blue-gloved" hands over him while he was on his deathbed.
Dr. Amy Zimmerman, an ophthalmologist who graduated with Costa in 1990 from the University of Maryland Medical School told WBAL that Costa was a "super nice guy, very friendly, soft-spoken, bright guy that's easy to talk to and everybody liked him."
Costa joined the medical center in 1997 and spent the past 15 years as chief of critical care.
"Joe was admired and respected among providers throughout the Baltimore region for his clinical expertise. He was beloved by his patients and their family members—known for his warm and comforting bedside manner as well as his direct and informative communication style," the statement from the medical center said.
Hart told the Sun, that he gets frustrated when he sees people not wearing masks.
"It makes me want to take a bar of soap and write on my car's rearview window that 'My husband who saved so many lives died of COVID-19. Wear a mask!'" he told the Sun.
Other healthcare workers across the country also told Business Insider they're been frustrated with residents not taking the virus seriously because it overburdens hospitals and puts everyone at risk.
Kevin Parks, a former patient of Costa's in the ICU described Costa as "steady."
"Just his steady presence, his demeanor, his confidence. He was never high, never low. He was steady. He always smiled, always had your back, told you like it was with compassion," Parks told WBAL.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, close to 114,000 healthcare workers have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 576 have died.
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: Inside London during COVID-19 lockdown
https://ift.tt/30WWP1s