City buildings lit up to remember victims of Covid-19
BUILDINGS ACROSS Leeds city centre lit up this weekend to remember those who have lost their lives since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a poignant display yesterday and on Saturday buildings including Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds Town Hall, Leeds City Museum, Leeds Arena and Leeds University’s Parkinson Building were illuminated blue, in tribute to selfless NHS staff working in hospitals and care settings, and yellow, the colour which symbolises grief awareness.
The tribute marked one year since medics were called to a hotel in York to what became the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in the UK.
The virus has since claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people in this country, with more than 1,300 of those deaths in
Leeds and some 10,000 across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The sadness of losing so many lives cannot be overstated and commemorating that loss and expressing our solidarity with those who have said goodbye to friends, loved ones and family members will be a poignant moment.
“The pandemic has also seen some truly inspiring examples of courage and unity, from the health and care workers who have given so much in the fight against the virus to those who have pitched in to support their neighbours and communities. This tribute will also recognise their enduring courage and spirit in these toughest of times”
Looking to the future, Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Eileen Taylor, added: “We should also look ahead with a sense of hope and optimism that better days are on the horizon.”
The light-up came amid the more positive news that almost 80,000 people in Leeds have now received their first dose of the Covid vaccine, with vaccination sites up and running at venues around the city.