Patty Sakal, 62, worked as a sign language interpreter for almost 40 years (Picture: Hawaii News Now)

A sign language interpreter who helped to keep deaf people informed during Covid press conferences has herself died of the virus.

Patty Sakal, 62, from Hawaii, died on Friday after contracting coronavirus during a trip to see her family in California.

She was a familiar face on TV in Hawaii for the islands’ coronavirus news conferences over the last ten months. Her work to interpret the latest Covid news from state officials for deaf residents helped many with hearing problems keep up to date.

A child to deaf parents, Patty lived in Honolulu and worked as an American Sign Language interpreter for nearly 40 years.

She contracted the virus on January 1, a week after landing in California where she traveled to see her youngest daughter who was due for a nine-month deployment with the US Navy.

Patty wanted to see her before the deployment, according to her elder sister Lorna Riff, 68. She said Patty was ‘extremely nervous’ to make the trip and took extra precautions during her journey.

Patty has helped the deaf community in Hawaii understand crucial information during Covid press conferences (Picture: Hawaii News Now)