St Helens residents have been showing their support for a special online Book of Condolence in St Helens to mark the hundreds of Covid-19 related deaths that have occurred in the borough since the start of the pandemic.
The new memorial page, which is managed by St Helens Council, allows friends and relatives who have lost loved ones to Covid-19 to upload messages, photos, poems and other items to the site in memory of them. So far residents have made around 100 contributions to the memorial page, including written tributes, photos and cards.
In the last two weeks the number of Covid linked deaths recorded in the borough recorded has passed 600 since the pandemic first began in March 2020. This includes all deaths recorded within 28 days of a positive Covid test
During that period St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Trust has had a total of 3,567 Covid patients admitted. This includes 182 in October, 163 in November and 54 so far in December.
Just over 500 of the Covid-linked deaths in the borough happened in the first year of the pandemic between April 2020 and March 2021. During this period there were more deaths from Covid-19 during this time than from cancers (473), circulatory disease (451) and respiratory disease (241).
The roll out of vaccinations in the borough this year has helped to reduce the number of deaths from Covid-19 significantly. In the last six months there have been 96 deaths with 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test. Also less people have died from Covid-19 in the last 6 months than have died from cancer or circulatory disease.
It is hoped the Book of Condolence will enable those who have lost loved ones to Covid-19 since 2020 to create a formal tribute to them. A link to the Book of Condolence is here: https://padlet.com/StHelensCouncil/BookofCondolenceCovid19
Councillor Anthony Burns, St Helens Borough Council Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage said: “The loss that so many families have endured in the borough through the death of loved ones during the pandemic has been horrendous and we are hopeful that the Book of Condolence will now give at least some comfort to those who have suffered during the past 21 months.
“Thankfully the tremendous success of the vaccination programme has helped to reduce the number of deaths locally in the last few months, combined with the efforts of residents to keep their families safe. With the emergence of the new Omicron variant, it is especially important that we now get our booster vaccinations and do everything we can to protect our families and those particularly who are most vulnerable”.
Ruth du Plessis, Director of Public Health at St Helens Borough Council, said; “Looking at the online Book of Condolence it is easy to see the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on so many families in the borough since the start of the pandemic.
“The great success of the vaccination drive locally has helped to reduce the number of deaths in recent months but with the potential for the Omicron variant to now spread the virus even more rapidly it is vital we do everything we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones, particularly as we are now in the cold winter months.
“Thus, we would ask residents to continue testing, wear a face covering whenever you visit shops and other indoor areas and let fresh air in to keep rooms well ventilated when spending time indoors with people you don’t live with. You should also social distance as much as you can.
Ruth adds: “As we come into winter we would also encourage residents to stay warm by trying to keep the room temperature at least 18 degrees Celsius, particularly if you’re not very mobile, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease.
“If you are not feeling well, try and stay at home. Get advice from your pharmacy,
NHS 111 or your GP. Don’t delay in seeking help”.
Symptom free testing kits are available to use for free. You can order a pack of lateral flow tests at https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
You should also register your results so we know who has been tested and where rates are at the highest and lowest. You can register your results via the following link: https://bit.ly/3k15CdW
If you test positive you should book a PCR test as soon as possible to confirm the result.
To book a Covid vaccination or booster appointment at your nearest vaccination centre in the borough, visit Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
