CBS News producer, 54, dies from coronavirus weeks after the broadcaster closed its NY office – The Sun

A CBS News producer has died after testing positive for the coronavirus.

The media outlet announced the news that their colleague Maria Mercader had died on Sunday.

The news comes just weeks after the network shutdown its New York City office, when at least six employees fell ill with COVID-19.

The 54-year-old 'network veteran' died in a New York hospital, after fighting cancer and related illnesses for more than 20 years.

Mercader had reportedly been on leave for an unrelated matter since the end of February.

CBS tweeted: "Maria Mercader, our beloved CBS News colleague, died from COVID-19 on Sunday at age 54. 'It's nearly impossible to be someone EVERYONE loves, but Maria was.'"

"Even more than her talents as a journalist, we will miss her indomitable spirit," said Susan Zirinsky, CBS News president and senior executive producer.

"Maria was part of all of our lives.

"Even when she was hospitalized — and she knew something was going on at CBS, she would call with counsel, encouragement, and would say 'you can do this.'

"I called Maria a 'warrior,' she was. Maria was a gift we cherished."

The current US coronavirus death toll stands at 2,133, with at least 728 in the New York State.

The country also has a total of at least 123,617 confirmed cases of the deadly virus.

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