Cafe worker in her early thirties dies after contracting COVID-19 in NI

By PA reporters

A cafe worker aged 32 has died with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.

Andrea Maftei was originally from Romania, but worked in Ballymena, Co Antrim, for more than a decade.

In a statement, Nobel Cafe said her colleagues were astounded and heart-broken.

"Andrea worked with us for twelve fantastic years, not only was she a trusted employee but a very loyal friend."

Hers was the first death to be confirmed by Stormont's health department for four days.

The vast majority of fatalities are among the older population.

Nobel Cafe said environmental health, the Public Health Agency and contact tracing bodies had concluded that the illness was contracted through a community-based outbreak and not through its food premises.

It added in an online post: "Unfortunately, Andrea has been taken from us under horrendous circumstances."

Her death brings the toll to 558.

The cafe said: "The friends and family at Nobel Cafe are well and truly devastated at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Andrea Maftei.

"Our hearts go out to Andrea's loving husband Ovidiu, her parents, grandparents and family circle."