Staff at the Royal Liverpool Hospital joined colleagues around Merseyside today as part of a sombre nationwide tribute to the sacrifice made by those on the frontline.
The one minute's silence held at 11am was to remember all those who had lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic, in roles ranging from doctors and nurses to carers, cleaners, porters and bus drivers.
Healthcare staff, some tearful, bowed their heads in memory of colleagues, followed in some places by applause, while elsewhere traffic stopped as essential workers in all key sectors were remembered.
More than 100 NHS and social care workers have lost their lives during the pandemic.
Workers in other key sectors such as transport are also among those who have died while carrying out their vital work.
The Unison union, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal of College of Nursing had campaigned for the countrywide commemoration.
Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "I am heartened to hear how many people took part in the minute's silence to honour the memory of staff who have tragically died during the pandemic.
"We thought it was important to pay tribute publicly to those who have lost their lives to the virus, and I am proud that so many took the time to do so this morning."
Today's silence - held on International Workers' Memorial Day - was in stark contrast to the enthusiastic, loud clapping which has become a weekly focal point across the UK.
Andrea Sutcliffe, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) chief executive and registrar, said: "Our tribute in silence today is as important as the noisy cheering for the NHS, social care and key workers on a Thursday evening."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has just returned to work after recovering from Covid-19, and joined the one minute's silence, tweeted afterwards: "This morning I took part in a minute's silence to remember those workers who have tragically died in the coronavirus pandemic. The nation will not forget you."
