Tragic milestone as East Lancashire hospitals record 1,000th patient death from Covid

East Lancashire has reached a tragic milestone with the news today that hospitals in our area have recorded the 1,000th death of a resident from Covid-19.
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The sad figure was reached today, highlighting the terrible impact the virus has had on the likes of Burnley and Pendle, which at the height of the pandemic, were recording some of the highest infection rates in the country.

NHS England data revealed that East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust had reached 1,000 patient deaths.

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Thankfully, the situation is improving with weekly figures and number of deaths in the boroughs falling, while vaccinations are ramping up.

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Burnley

A new mass vaccination centre also recently opened at the former Next store in Burnley's Charter Walk shopping centre.

Local political leaders have offered their sympathies to all families who have suffered losses during the pandemic and renewed their call for the public to continue to play its part in defeating the deadly virus.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson, who has been volunteering as a vaccinator at Blackburn Cathedral, said: "A tragic milestone for our local area, which underlines the human cost of Covid-19.

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"There will be very few families who have not been affected by this pandemic. Even though we can now see a way through with the rapid deployment of vaccines, this is a timely reminder that we all need to continue to play our part in saving lives."

Burnley MP Antony Higgonbotham said: "This is a tragic milestone particularly for those families and friends who have lost a loved one. My thoughts go out to them. With each vaccine we get one step closer to the end of this pandemic but we still have a way to go. That’s why it’s vitally important that we look out for each other and play our part to save lives."

The leader of Burnley Borough Council, Coun. Mark Townsend, also offered his sympathies to those affected.

He said: "The news of there now being 1,000 deaths across East Lancashire is a grim statistic but we must remember that beyond the statistics is the loss of loved ones, family members and friends who will be forever missed.

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"Twelve months on from the pandemic being declared it is not over and we must all play our part in minimising future loss by taking the vaccine when offered and following the rules."

His counterpart, the leader of Pendle Borough Council, Coun.Mohammed Iqbal MBE, said: "The milestone of 1.000 deaths is extremely distressing especially for those who have lost a loved one, there is still more for us to do to prevent any more loss of life and I would urge people to have the vaccine when it’s their turn."

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