Congolese rail worker dies of coronavirus after being spat at

A Congolese woman, who worked as a railway ticket office worker in London, has died of coronavirus after she was spat at by a man who said he had Covid-19.

Belly Mujinga, 47, who had underlying respiratory problems, was working at Victoria station in the UK capital on 22 March when she was assaulted, along with a female colleague.

Within days of the incident, both women fell ill with the virus.

British Transport Police said an inquiry had been launched to trace the man who spat at the pair.

Ms Mujinga's husband Lusamba Gode Katalay said the man had asked his wife what she was doing and why she was there.

"She told him she was working and the man said he had the virus and spat on her," he added.

Mrs Mujinga was admitted to Barnet Hospital on 2 April and was put on a ventilator.

But she died three days later, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said.

Mrs Mujinga moved to the UK from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2000 as a political refugee, reports ITV News and The Mirror newspaper.