City to join nation in Covid-19 day of reflection

NHS staff at a drive-through testing centre in Wolverhampton in 2020

The city of Wolverhampton is set to join a nationwide day of reflection to mark the fifth anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic being declared.

Congregations in places of worship across the city will pause for moments of reflection during their services on Sunday.

The day is an opportunity for people in the city to remember those who lost their lives, and pay tribute to all frontline workers and volunteers who played crucial roles.

"This is our opportunity to remember those who lost their lives to Covid-19, and to reflect on the impact the pandemic had on every single one of us," said Councillor Linda Leach, mayor of Wolverhampton.

"We went through tough times, we were separated from friends and loved ones. Tragically, we lost friends and loved ones."

"But our city's motto has always been Out of Darkness Cometh Light and, through those dark days, as a city, we came together.

"We found new heroes, we found ways to make each other smile but, most of all, we looked after our own."

'A sense of community'

Events will be taking place across the UK on Sunday to mark the milestone, on which then Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a press conference to confirm there had been four deaths in the UK and outline an action plan to tackle the virus.

On Friday, a minute's silence was held across the Royal Wolverhampton and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trusts, as well as a short service being held at the New Cross Hospital's heart and lung centre.

Rev Linford Davis, from the trust's chaplaincy service, said the effects of the pandemic would be felt across generations.

"People lost loved ones and colleagues, healthcare, social care and emergency response staff were separated from their own family and friends because of working arrangements at that time.

"But there were also moments that uplifted us all too.

"Rediscovering a sense of community is one example I bring to mind when so many generous people wanted to support those working through the pandemic in healthcare settings or simply through acts of kindness towards their own neighbours."