Flags to fly at half mast in Kirklees as UK marks one year anniversary of first Covid cases

Union flags will be flown at half mast to mark the one year anniversary of the UK's first confirmed cased of coronavirus.

Since those first cases were confirmed, more than 100,000 people have died as a result of the virus, including more than 700 people in Kirklees.

To mark the anniversary, flats will fly at half mast on Sunday.

In a joint statement, the leaders of Kirklees Council's five political groups, Labour's Coun Shabir Pandor, Conservative Coun David Hall, Coun John Lawson, Lib Dem leader, Coun Andrew Cooper of the Green Group and Coun Charles Greaves, leader of the Independent Group, said: "On Sunday, it will be a year since the first Coronavirus case was identified in Britain.

"We remember all those who have died and lost friends and loved ones.

"We pay tribute to the sacrifices made by so many in Kirklees, and across the country, to protect their families and communities.

“The crisis has been long and painful for so many people. But we look forward to the next twelve months with hope and we express our gratitude to all those who continue to serve on the frontline, support their community and have shown the very best of our society.”

All 69 Kirklees councillors will also observe a minute’s silence at the start of the next Council Meeting on Wednesday, February 10, to reflect on the suffering caused by the pandemic and honour those who have worked tirelessly to protect each other.

The first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in Kirklees on March 18, 2020. There have been 27,329 cases of the virus in the district to date.