Leicester Mercury

City and county reflect on

COUNCIL LEADERS AMONG THOSE REMEMBERIN­G LOST LOVED ONES

- By AMY ORTON Local Democracy Reporter amy.orton@reachplc.com @amy__orton

A YEAR ago yesterday, we were waking up on the first full day of the first national lockdown.

Three weeks was the timeframe the Prime Minister put on coronaviru­s back then – 365 days later, Leicester has marked virtually a full year in lockdown.

Parts of the county have spent most of that time under some level of stricter restrictio­ns, too.

Since then, there have been more than 79,000 confirmed coronaviru­s cases across Leicester, Leicesters­hire and Rutland, and more than 2,300 people have lost their lives.

The anniversar­y was a day of reflection, with a minute’s silence observed in memory of those who have lost their lives after testing positive for Covid-19.

Leicester city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Our thoughts are with all of those who have lost family members and loved ones over the

ON ANNIVERSAR­Y

past year, and our thanks go to everyone who have worked tirelessly to care for others and keep life going.

“It has been an incredibly difficult time and we are by no means out of it yet, but we can now start to look forward with hope.”

Councillor Nick Rushton, leader of Leicesters­hire County Council, said: “Life was turned on its head last March.

“The tremendous efforts of all key workers – particular­ly in health, care, police, schools, as well as supermarke­ts and logistics – have kept us going.

“I want to thank everyone who has worked day and night this year.”

Health bosses came together to

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 ??  ?? ‘LIFE WAS TURNED ON ITS HEAD LAST MARCH’: Sir Peter Soulsby and, right, Coun Nick Rushton
‘LIFE WAS TURNED ON ITS HEAD LAST MARCH’: Sir Peter Soulsby and, right, Coun Nick Rushton

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