2020 will forever be known as the year when coronavirus changed the way we live our lives, potentially forever. In the first of a four-part series of features on life in Worcestershire during the pandemic, reporter Jemma Bufton looks at how Covid first reached our county and the early days of the crisis.

IT started as the whisper of a threat half a world away in China - dim and distant, little more than an ominous shadow looming on the horizon.

The storm clouds of the pandemic were already gathering - and blowing hard towards us - but little did we imagine that months later coronavirus would have claimed more than 1.78million (as of December 29) lives, brought the global economy to its knees and changed the world as we know it.

According to the latest figures, in the UK alone Covid-19 lay behind 71,109 deaths as of December 29, 2020.

Back in March, as Covid-19 cases continued to rise in the UK the government was busy thinking of ways to protect us from the virus.

We began to hear the phrase ‘stay at home’ more and more on television and the radio.

On Monday, March 16, Boris Johnson was urging everyone to work from home and avoid pubs and restaurants.

Two days later it was announced that schools would shut. By March 23 the prime minster had ordered all pubs, restaurants and other social venues across the country to close as the UK entered a state of lockdown.

The UK lockdown was announced by Mr Johnson on national television.

“From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home,” said the prime minister.

Pubs, cinemas, gyms, bowling alleys, theatres, restaurants, hairdressers, tattoo studios, beauty salons, children’s play parks and swimming pools were also forced to close.

The people of Worcestershire were suddenly faced with something they had never had to face before, it was frightening and surreal.

All those who could work from home were expected to do so. Families were split apart, exercise routines shattered. At the height of the pandemic people were limited to an hour’s exercise a day. Concerns continue to be raised about the impact on our physical and mental health, not to mention our jobs.

Many lost their employment. Others were furloughed and the businesses which employ them faced an uncertain future as we plunged into recession.

Many adapted their business model to the crisis, including farm shops, butchers, pubs and restaurants who increased their focus on deliveries. Consumers also changed the way they shopped for food and other essentials to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.

In Worcester, the city centre was largely abandoned during the lockdown. Normally busy and bustling areas of the city including the High Street and Cathedral Square were noticeably more sedate than usual, as people worked from home and ordered their shopping online.

Services were cancelled at churches across Worcestershire. The Dean of Worcester, Peter Atkinson, confirmed all public services had been suspended at Worcester Cathedral.

Initially, funerals were limited to just three close family members. Mark Campion, director of Jackson Family Funeral Directors, said at the time: “Things have dramatically changed for us. I have not seen anything like this in 36 years.

“I just feel so sorry for the families because they can’t say goodbye to their loved ones like they usually would. It’s extremely sad for the families.”

Mr Campion said many direct cremations were being carried out without a funeral service beforehand to be safer.

On March 24, just one day into what would turn out to be a three month lockdown, the county saw its first Covid-19 death as a patient in Worcestershire died after testing positive for coronavirus. This was the first confirmed death caused by the virus cat a Worcestershire hospital.

The crisis was a chance for many in the county to show their grit, courage and ingenuity, but above all else their kindness.

The bravery and sacrifice of the NHS frontline staff, carers, supermarket workers and delivery drivers kept this country going and earned the respect and love of the people of Worcestershire and nationwide.

Sadly some Worcestershire NHS heroes on the frontline of the pandemic paid the ultimate price in their bid to protect and care for others.

Three members of staff from Worcestershire Royal Hospital died after contracting coronavirus.

Julie Omar, who was 52 and a ‘dedicated and highly experienced’ trauma and orthopaedics nurse, died at home on April 10.

Carlos Sia, 62, who was ‘much loved by his colleagues for his quiet, gentle and respectful nature,’ died on May 15 after spending many weeks in hospital fighting Covid-19.

And Jodon Gait, 46, a ‘dedicated, kind and compassionate’ nurse who was working on the frontline at Worcestershire Royal Hospital died on April 25 after contracting the virus.

Every Thursday at 8pm people across Worcestershire stepped out of their homes and clapped their hands or bashed together pots and pans during the ‘clap for carers’ to show their thanks for the NHS, while rainbows were placed in windows across the county and in front of the hospital.

See part 2 tomorrow.