Today is a National Day of Observance for COVID-19, a day to commemorate lives lost and the significant impacts the virus has had on society.
It is the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the day will also signify a reflection on the “significant impacts” all have felt due to COVID-19, from isolation and unemployment to losing time with friends and family.
He says the day will “honour everyone we lost to this terrible virus, and to recognize the impact this global pandemic has had on all our lives.”
More than 2.5 million people have died globally due to COVID-19.
To date, Canada has seen 886,574 cases of COVID-19, and 22,239 virus-related deaths.
Health organizations are asking everyone to mark the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic with a candlelight vigil.
They are asking people to light a candle as a sign of remembrance at 7 tonight and to share their tributes on social media using the hashtags #Candle4COVID and #TogetherWeCanDoIt.
Today, one year after @WHO declared #COVID19 a pandemic, Canada honours every individual who lost their life to this disease, and recognizes all who have been impacted by the pandemic. Read Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement: https://t.co/8zgqACFxQm
— Prime Minister of Canada (@CanadianPM) March 11, 2021
To honour the family members, friends, neighbours, and coworkers who we’ve lost due to the pandemic, and to recognize the major impacts the disease has had on all of us, we are designating March 11, 2021 as a National Day of Observance. Details: https://t.co/Tcj3ytCe0W
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 8, 2021