Joseph Costa, chief of the critical care division at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, died of COVID-19 on Saturday with his husband by his side, according to a report in the Baltimore Sun.
David Hart, his husband and partner of 28 years, told the Sun that about 20 colleagues held a bedside vigil for Costa and placed their gloved hands on him.
Hart told the Sun he “placed his cheek next to Costa’s and held his husband in his arms until he died around 4:45 a.m.” Costa “dedicated his life and career to caring for the sickest patients,” according to a statement from Mercy officials. “When the global pandemic came down upon us, Joe selflessly continued his work on the front lines — deeply committed to serving our patients and our City