Statement: National day of reflection

Cllr Lewis said: “One year on since the start of the first lockdown, we pause and reflect on the impact that this pandemic has had on our communities. To date, 184 residents of our borough have lost their life with Covid-19 as a cause of their death. Nearly 6,500 of our residents have tested positive for the virus.

“The impact has been felt in paused hospital treatments, home schooling, lost income, and the closure of local services such as pubs, restaurants, shops and gyms. Existing inequalities have been exposed by this virus.

“With that sombre news, we also celebrate 40,000 adult residents receiving at least one dose of a vaccine.

“We are on a path to recovery, but we will not forget the lives lost and the families and friends who mourn.”