Death toll should hit home the message says Sunderland health chief as she speaks of heartbreaking impact of pandemic

Sunderland's Director of Public Health has asked the city's residents to continue doing everything in their power to stop the spread of Covid as UK deaths from the infection passed 100,000 this week.

Of those 776 people have died while in the care of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

Gerry Taylor, Executive Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning at Sunderland City Council, said the upsetting death toll showed the stark reality of the situation.

As she spoke to residents in her latest weekly video, she said: "This week we have passed the heart-breaking death toll of 100,000 people across the country who have lost their lives to Covid-19.

"This really brings home the stark reality of this awful disease and the reason why we need to continue to do all we can to stop it spreading.

"While we have seen a slight reduction in the number of cases in our city since early January, we are not yet seeing infection rates reducing consistently.

"The reality is that our case numbers are still very high and unfortunately the number of people in our hospital is rising.

"That’s why, this week my message remains the same as it has been since the start of the year, which is an ask to everyone to continue to stay home and do everything you can to prevent this virus spreading further.

"We cannot let our guard down so it’s vital to remember that if you have to go out to work or to shop for essentials follow the rules around hands, face and space at all times."

She added there was good news with the vaccination programme in the city continuing at pace and the opening of the second large NHS Vaccination Centre for the North East and North Cumbria at the NHS Nightingale Hospital near Nissan.

Gerry added: "The new centre will play a significant part in the roll out of the vaccine to health and social care staff and the over 70s in Sunderland and from neighbouring areas.

"It complements the excellent work already underway in our Primary Care Networks and at Sunderland Royal Hospital.”

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today.

Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day.

With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.