COVID-19 in Gloucestershire: One Year On
Gloucestershire's Director of Public Health has thanked local people for their sacrifice during the pandemic
It's been a year since coronavirus first arrived in Gloucestershire and we've been taking a look back at the last year.
The first televised message from the Prime Minister telling us all to "stay at home" seems like a lifetime ago.
Over the past year, 1,137 people had sadly lost their lives to Covid-19 and 21,748 people have contracted the virus - with may of them still living with the long-term side effects.
Despite lockdowns, tier restrictions and the isolation, the unique spirit of the Gloucestershire community has thrived.
From people cooking meals to feed hungry school children, to people raising money for charities who have taken a huge hit during the pandemic, to even the people who have simply stayed at home - everyone has played their part.
It's vital tribute is also paid to the local NHS heroes who have been battling the virus on the frontline and have seen first hand the devastation is can bring to families - they have been our armour in this battle.
Sarah Scott, Director of Public Health for Gloucestershire, said:
"Since the first case of coronavirus in Gloucestershire, nothing has been the same ever since. It's been a year of highs and lows really. We've sadly lost a large number of our population in Gloucestershire and it's vital we don't forget them.
"It's been a real privilege to be the Director of Public health during the pandemic and I feel really lucky to have the job. I want to thank the team I work with who have gone above and beyond".
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted every part of life in Gloucestershire. From not being able to meet up at the local to Kingsholm Stadium lying empty on match days.
Everyone in the local community has made some sacrifice in one way or another which Sarah says she is deeply thankful for.
She continued:
"It's been a year of sacrifice for everybody. But I think the reason why our infection rates are so low at the moment is because I think everybody has really stuck to the lockdown.
"The Gloucestershire population has listened to the guidance. It's really hard to do it, especially in this third lockdown so I just want to say thank you to everybody".
Nobody last year thought even on coronavirus vaccine would be available, let alone three. Thanks to scientists, - who developed them - and the health workers and volunteers who've administered them, over 200,000 people have now received the first dose of a vaccine in Gloucestershire - who set the bar high nationally in the roll-out of the vaccine.
It's now the glimmer of hope as the country begins it's "cautious but irreversible" journey out of lockdown which is something Sarah is hopeful about.
She added:
"I'm really hopeful that if cases decrease as they are we'll meet the milestones in the Government's roadmap and we'll have a bit more of our freedom back.
"The vaccination programme is going really well but it's not the only thing we need to do.
"We'll need to carry on with measures like wearing face masks, washing our hands, ensuring there's ventilation and social distancing.
"I do believe these measures will be with us at least for the rest of the year but I'm confident life will begin to open back up for us all to enjoy".