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One In Six Brits Have Lost A Loved One A Year On Since The First Lockdown

By Rachael Grealish

One in six Britons have seen loved ones die since the country was thrust into its first lockdown one year ago today, according to a recent survey.

Published today, Tuesday March 23, on YouGov results show 17 percent of Brits have either lost a close friend or family member as a result of COVID-19.

However this figure has risen since the first survey in early January which showed 13 percent of Brits saying they’ve lost friends and family to the virus.

Over the same period of time, the proportion of people who have a close relative or friend who has been seriously unwell from coronavirus – who have experienced this themselves – rose from 27 percent to 35 percent.

These statistics also show around three quarters of Britons have now also tested positive for the virus, or know someone who has – again, this is up from 57 percent in January.

So far, around 126,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the UK and in Cumbria almost 1,500 (1,458 as of March 5) people have sadly lost their lives to the deadly virus in the last year.

The Prime Minister has reflected the year of loss, via social media, ahead of his address to the nation this evening.

In the statement he said: “The last 12 months has taken a huge toll on us all, and I offer my sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

“Today, the anniversary of the first lockdown is an opportunity to reflect on the past year – one of the most difficult in our country’s history.”

He ended the statement vowing to end lockdown and restrictions ‘once and for all’.

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Marie Curie is also leading the country in a National Day of Reflection- encouraging a minutes silence and a doorstep vigil this evening.