He contracted COVID-19 from Mater Dei, says nurse mourning the death of her 67-year-old father
He took four swab tests while at hospital.
Malta’s 42nd coronavirus-related death, 67-year-old Carmel ‘Charlie’ Buhagiar, contracted the virus from Mater Dei, his daughter said.
In comments to Lovin Malta, Carla Martinez Al Hamo, a nurse, said that her father entered hospital on 28th September and produced a negative test, following feeling sick on 23rd September. “We called our family doctor and after explaining his symptoms he told us to take him to the clinic. He certified that he had influenza. On the 26th, he had a swab test and tested negative.”
“Then on 28th September, he became even sicker and suffered shortness of breath. He was taken to Mater Dei’s emergency ward and because of his symptoms they didn’t let us join him.” Charlie’s hospital admission test resulted negative, however an X-ray showed he had bilateral pneumonia and a CT scan showed he was vulnerable to contracting the virus.
After four other negative swab tests, while his condition became worse, he tested positive and passed away 10 days later. Carla believes her father contracted it at hospital. “My father fought until the end. He adored his family and was loved immensely by his community,” she said.
Charlie was the president of the Qormi Hockey Team, an avid vintage car fan, and was primarily known as ‘Charlie tal-ghagin’ as he was the first to bring popular Italian pasta brands to Malta and Gozo.
When health authorities stated that he had “underlying health conditions” as has been said in most statements of this kind, Carla contested it. “He did have heart problems because he had a bypass 15 years ago, but he never had any health issues since then.”
Rest in peace, Charlie. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Buhagiar family.