Posted on Tuesday 23rd March 2021
Residents in Staffordshire are being praised for the efforts and sacrifices made during the pandemic – as the county reflects on the first anniversary of the national lockdown today.
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health and Care, said the challenges of the last 12 months have highlighted the resilience, the dedication and the human kindness shown by people across the county.
Richard said:
“It has been an extraordinarily difficult year for many people who have lost loved ones, been kept apart from their families and friends and seen their workplace close and I want to thank everyone for the part they have played in getting us to where we are today.
“We have come along way and it is the people on the health and care frontline, communities banding together and strangers turning into volunteers and friends to support the most vulnerable in Staffordshire which has made the difference.”
Since the start of the first lockdown, the county council, together with NHS and district and borough council partners have worked to manage the pandemic.
This has included:
- Six million pieces of PPE given to frontline carers
- 4,500 emergency food parcels given to the vulnerable and those shielding
- More than 120,000 people contacted by the local test and trace service
- More than 200 local projects supported
- More than 100,000 tests carried out at our community covid testing centres
- More than £500,000 given in business support grants
Richard added:
“It has been a year like no other, but we are now in touching distance of getting back to the lives we once knew, but we are not there yet, and the biggest risk is that we undo everything we have fought so hard to achieve.
“The mass roll out of the vaccine has been a gamechanger, but it will be months before everyone is vaccinated and even longer before the full benefits are known.
“That’s why we must continue to stick to the rules, continue to get tested twice a week and get vaccinated when eligible. We cannot afford to falter now.
“Together we can make the lifting of lockdown work and by everyone following the advice we can protect the most vulnerable and get life moving once again.”
People can find out more about all the Covid testing options and book a test at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus