Wirral leaders acknowledge Covid-19 Day of Reflection
Five years ago, Wirral residents joined the rest of the UK in a nationwide lockdown, amid the rapid spread of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19.
Cllr Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council, said:
For many Wirral residents, it feels like the pandemic was closer to home for us than the rest of the country a lot sooner, as our local hospital Arrowe Park hosted 94 Britons who had been repatriated from Wuhan, China in January 2020.
Before we knew it, mask wearing and social distancing became the new normal. It was a strange, turbulent and scary time for many of us.
Over the subsequent weeks and months, health and care workers worked tirelessly, key workers in our shops and public services kept the borough running and businesses and communities rallied together to share their support. Sadly, thousands of Wirral residents became ill with the virus and some lost their lives, as did many across the country.
Thousands of Wirral residents became ill with the virus. Figures show that 1271 Wirral residents died due to COVID-19, in the years 2020-2023.
Dave Bradburn, Director of Public Health for Wirral, said:
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on us all. It affected the physical health of everyone who contracted the illness and suffered its effects, not least those who developed complications or suffered with long COVID.
Dealing with lockdowns, isolating at home, missing school or work, and losing connections with friends and family all had an impact on our mental health, too. Key workers had to deal with stress, anxiety and trauma for months on end. Clinically vulnerable people needed shielding, which meant many were unable to see loved ones when they needed to most.
Everyone will remember the difficulties we all faced and the sacrifices we made, but also the spirit we showed by supporting and protecting each other and especially our most vulnerable.
We also remember the residents who sadly lost their lives due to the virus, some passing away before their time.
To commemorate five years since the pandemic began, a national Covid-19 Day of Reflection is taking place on Sunday, 9 March.
The day will be an opportunity for the public to remember and commemorate those who lost their lives during the pandemic, reflect on the sacrifices made and the impact on our daily lives, and pay tribute to the work of health and social care staff, frontline workers, researchers and all those who volunteered and showed acts of kindness during this unprecedented time.
Cllr Paul Stuart said:
In the midst of great uncertainty and loss, I remember the strength and courage shown by our communities who rallied together to support our most vulnerable.
Whether that was through the thousands of emergency food hampers packaged and delivered for those who were self-isolating, the huge testing and then vaccination efforts or the many social gatherings people either postponed or held outdoors to avoid spreading the illness. Wirral showed up for our most vulnerable and we should be proud of that.
In response to the virus, a huge humanitarian effort was mobilised quickly. The first 18 weeks alone saw:
- 892 volunteers come forward
- 26,944 food requests handled
- 17,478 food hampers delivered
- 6,350 emergency food and fuel vouchers issued (7 Apr – 20 Jul)
- 240 homeless people (or at risk of) placed in emergency temporary accommodation
Residents can find more information about the day and resources to help them mark the Day of Reflection, here: gov.uk/day-of-reflection.
