Horrors Of Coronavirus Pandemic: New York Doctor Treating Victims Reportedly Dies Of Suicide

Another hero has fallen amid the battle against coronavirus on Sunday. A medical doctor in New York reportedly died of suicide after she witnessed the horrors of the pandemic.

Dr. Lorna M. Breen was the medical director of the New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital Emergency Department. According to her father and statement from the police, Dr. Breen died in Charlottesville, Virginia, New York Times reported.

Prior to this devastating news, Dr. Philip C. Breen, father of Dr. Lorna M. Breen, reportedly said she recounted the horrifying scenes she witnessed while working in the said hospital. Dr. Breen’s father said he could tell that something was wrong because the last time they spoke, he felt that her daughter seemed detached, the publication further reported.

Describing the horrific scenes, the 49-year-old doctor witnessed and told her father of the “onslaught” of patients dying before they could even reach the hospital from the ambulance.

On April 9, AA News reported an announcement from Governor Andrew Cuomo stating that 799 patients died in the city in the past 24 hours. Just two days prior to that, the city experienced a 779 single-day record of deaths due to coronavirus.

Dr. Breen, 71, reportedly said that his daughter did not have any history of mental illness; however, the late doctor contracted the coronavirus disease while treating the patients brought to the hospital.

After about 1 week and a half of recuperation, the late doctor had gone back to work. She reportedly relocated to Charlottesville after the hospital sent her home again to rest, under the instruction of Dr. Philip Breen.

Charlottesville Police Department, on Sunday, reportedly received a call requesting for medical assistance after Dr. Lorna Breen attempted to take her own life, Daily Mail reported.

Based on an email from Charlottesville Police Department Spokesperson Tyler Hawn, the victim was brought to U.V.A. Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, she succumbed to self-inflicted injuries.

It was unclear what the cause of death was but one thing was clear to the older doctor —his daughter only did her job but it killed her. If there was only one thing that Dr. Breen’s father wanted his daughter to be praised and remembered for —a hero. The grieving father pointed out that Dr. Breen was also a casualty just like the others who died because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The frontline healthcare workers, who still do their job amid the threats of coronavirus, are this modern world’s heroes. They deserve to be remembered and honored for placing their lives at stake for others.

Salute!

“If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.”