Saturday, July 4, 2020

Nation mourns 44,198 coronavirus victims with minute’s silence

A candle is lit and placed on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in central London on July 4, 2020 in honour of the tens of thousands of people who have died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK as the building itself is lit up blue as a tribute to NHS workers and to mark the 72nd anniversary of the NHS. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
A candle is lit and placed on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in honour of the tens of thousands of people who have died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (Picture: AFP via Getty)

A minute’s silence has been held in remembrance of the tens of thousands who have died during the coronavirus pandemic.

People were also asked to light a candle on Saturday night as public buildings – including Downing Street – were lit up in blue. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among those taking part in the event, with a candle placed outside Number 10 at 9pm.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rev Justin Welby, also lit a candle of remembrance in Canterbury Cathedral ahead of the NHS’s 72nd anniversary on Sunday. One last nationwide Clap for Carers is set to take place on Sunday evening to mark the milestone.

More than 44,000 people have died across the UK after contracting the virus.

One last nationwide Clap for Carers is set to take place on Sunday evening to mark the milestone.

Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live

Mr Johnson will meet NHS workers in the garden of Number 10 on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference on Friday, the PM urged the public to clap for ‘those who have worked tirelessly and selflessly to help the nation get through this pandemic’.

Other public buildings including the Royal Albert Hall, Blackpool Tower, the Shard and the Wembley Arch will also be lit up in blue in tribute to the NHS.

A candle is lit and placed on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in central London on July 4, 2020 in honour of the tens of thousands of people who have died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK as the building itself is lit up blue as a tribute to NHS workers and to mark the 72nd anniversary of the NHS. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
A candle is lit and placed on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street (Picture: AFP via Getty)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 04: A candle is seen on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street on July 4, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Sunday marks the 72nd anniversary of the formation of the National Health Service (NHS). British Landmarks and some football stadiums will be lit up blue as a mark of support and gratitude for the NHS. The UK has hailed its NHS for the work they have done during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)
Sunday marks the 72nd anniversary of the formation of the National Health Service (Picture: Getty)

The nationwide clap follows the success of the weekly Clap For Carers during the coronavirus outbreak and it is hoped that the applause, which is planned for 5pm on Sunday, will become an annual tradition.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said he hopes the public will use the anniversary as an opportunity to ‘say a heartfelt thank you’ to hospital staff.

Sir Simon said: ‘This year has been the most challenging in NHS history, with staff displaying extraordinary dedication, skill and compassion to care for the 100,000 patients with Covid-19 who needed specialist hospital treatment, and many others besides.

‘During this testing time our nurses, doctors, physios, pharmacists and countless more colleagues were sustained by the support of the public, not least through the weekly applause for key workers.

‘No health service, not even the NHS, could have coped alone with this coronavirus pandemic.’

Staff outside Abbeydale Court Care Home in Hamilton clapping to salute local heroes during Thursday's nationwide Clap for Carers initiative to recognise and support NHS workers and carers fighting the coronavirus pandemic. PA Photo. Picture date: Thursday May 21, 2020. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
There will be one last nationwide round of applause for health workers on Sunday (Picture: PA)
Britain Claps For Carers For a Tenth Week Following Calls For It To End
Four-year-old Maria Sole holds up a rainbow drawing with the words ‘Thank You’ on it (Picture: Getty)

The nationwide clap has been organised following a letter from the Together coalition, in which influential figures including Sir Simon and Mr Welby voiced their support for making July 5 an official day of commemoration.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said NHS staff need a pay boost in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

He made the call during a virtual rally marking the 72 years of the NHS in which he praised health service staff for their efforts during the pandemic.

The London Eye on the southern bank of the River Thames in central London on July 4, 2020 is lit up blue in as a tribute to NHS workers and to mark the 72nd anniversary of the Service. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
The London Eye is lit up blue in as a tribute to NHS workers (Picture: AFP via Getty)
A man takes a picture on the Millennium Bridge as the Shard is lit up in blue in support of the National Health Service (NHS), as the capital is set to reopen after the lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak, in London, Saturday, July 4, 2020. England is embarking on perhaps its biggest lockdown easing yet as pubs and restaurants have the right to reopen for the first time in more than three months. In addition to the reopening of much of the hospitality sector, couples can tie the knot once again, while many of those who have had enough of their lockdown hair can finally get a trim. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A man takes a picture on the Millennium Bridge as the Shard is lit up in blue in support of the National Health Service (Picture: AP)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - JULY 04: The Grand Brighton hotel is lit up with blue lights as part of the 'Light It Blue' campaign for the NHS anniversary on July 4, 2020 in Brighton, United Kingdom. Sunday marks the 72nd anniversary of the formation of the National Health Service (NHS). British Landmarks and some football stadiums will be lit up blue as a mark of support and gratitude for the NHS. The UK has hailed its NHS for the work they have done during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by Luke Dray/Getty Images)
The Grand Brighton hotel is illuminated as part of the ‘Light It Blue’ campaign (Picture: Luke Dray/Getty Images)

Sir Keir added: ‘The pride and the thanks that we have for the NHS which is always there, is reinforced this year by everything that all the staff in the NHS have done in relation to the Covid crisis.

‘Of course, we’re not through that, and it will be our NHS heroes and the bravery of what they do which will get us through whatever comes next.

‘That’s why it’s very important that we don’t just say thanks, but recognise in a meaningful way what the NHS has done.

‘And that’s why Labour supports those calling on the Government today to make an immediate commitment to talks on a pay rise for NHS workers.’

The comments come after unions representing more than 1.3 million nurses, cleaners, physiotherapists, healthcare assistants, dieticians, radiographers, porters, midwives, paramedics and other NHS employees have written to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak and the Prime Minister calling for pay talks to start soon.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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