Christ Hospital Physician Dies from COVID-19 Infection

Dr. Leo De La Cruz, a physician at Chris Hospital in Jersey City, has died from COVID-19 infection.

“It is with a great deal of sadness and heavy heart that we share with you the news of the passing of our beloved attending physician, Dr. Leo DeLaCruz.  He passed away from complications of COVID-19 today at Holy Name Hospital (Teaneck),” according to a statement from Marie Duffy & Dr. Tucker Woods.

According to a spokesperson from CarePoint, which oversees Christ Hospital, Dela Cruz was not working with COVID-19 patients directly.

(ABOVE: image via facebook)

“Dr. DeLaCruz was a very active physician in the Department of Psychiatry and has been part of the Christ Hospital Medical Staff since 1999. Once you met Dr. DeLaCruz, you would never forget him because of his kind, gentle and fun personality.  He was a good person, a sweet man that was loved by everyone in the hospital.  He was a great psychiatrist for the patients in our community and also a great friend and advisor for our own staff.  If anyone was going through a rough period, he was there to help,” said Duffy & Woods, in their joint statement.

“His passing has deeply affected us all.  He will be deeply missed.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Since the onset of the Coronavirus crisis, area hospitals have made appeals for supplies citing shortages of Personal Protective Equipment.