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More on KentOnline
It's hard to believe it has only been one month since Kent, along with the rest of the nation, was put on lockdown.
This strange new way of life has been, for many, pretty tough to get used to, with our usual routines put on hold for the sake of global health.
As is the nature of a pandemic, it seemed to happen all very quickly - one minute we were watching as China tried to cope with the illness, which then moved through Europe until suddenly, we were part of it too.
From the Prime Minister going into intensive care to one Faversham family's lockdown song raising the spirits of thousands, it has been quite a month.
So we thought we'd take a look back at the key moments since lockdown began and how it has affected the lives of ordinary people.
The beginnings of the pandemic
To understand how we got to the point where people have been confined to their homes, we need to cast our minds back to the very beginning.
KMTV looks back on the last month in lockdown
At the end of December, Chinese authorities in Wuhan confirmed they were dealing with several cases of pneumonia, from an unknown cause. Days later, researchers in China identified a new virus which had infected dozens of people in Asia.
On Saturday, January 11, China reported its first coronavirus death and just over a week later the first confirmed cases outside of China were revealed to be in Japan, South Korea and Thailand. And just another day later, America had its first report.
At the end of the month the World Health Organisation declared a global emergency. It was on Friday, January 31 when the first cases were reported in the UK, when two members of same family who had recently travelled to Britain from China, fell ill.
Between early February and March 1 the UK total climbed to 36 cases.
The virus reaches Kent
A worker at Maidstone Studios, at Vinters Business Park in Maidstone, who had recently returned from a trip to Rome, was the first person in Kent to test positive for the deadly condition. The news emerged on Monday, March 2.
In the same day we learnt Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Faversham had emailed parents to advise a family member of one of its students had tested positive for the virus. The relatives and another student self-isolated for 14 days.
It was later revealed a second worker at Maidstone Studios had tested positive for coronavirus.
Sadly, on Thursday, March 19, a 64-year-old from Medway became the first person in Kent known to have died from coronavirus. He passed away at Medway Maritime Hospital.
Just a few days later, over the weekend of March 21, a family told of losing their beloved grandmother, Shirley Brown, from St Mary's Platt, to coronavirus. She passed away at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, and contracted the illness even though she had been limiting her social contact and was only making essential trips to go food shopping and visit the pharmacy.
The NHS and Public Health England have been giving daily updates on the number of cases and deaths within each region of the UK - with the death toll now more than 18,000 for the UK.
What has the political response been?
Quite early on, the Government began hosting daily press conferences to update the British public on its strategies for combating the spread of coronavirus.
On Monday, March 16, people were advised to start practising social distancing and then, on the following Friday, the PM ordered all pubs, cafes, restaurants, bars and gyms to close.
NHS doctors and nurses were asked to return from retirement and a plea for volunteers to help in the healthcare sector was issued to the public.
With increased testing vital in fighting the virus, the Government pledged to carry out 100,000 per day by the end of the month - however, they are only managing around 20,000 per day at the moment.
PPE shortages in hospitals and care facilities has proved to be a major issue, with frontline staff becoming increasingly concerned at the lack of protection. Although there is said to be a worldwide shortage, the authorities have been rapped by many who say they should have planned ahead.
Throughout the past month, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has also announced multiple grants, loans and funding to help the British economy survive the pandemic. These have included a furlough scheme for which the Government promises to pay 80% of employees' wages up to £2,500 a month, and £750 million extra funding for UK charities.
UK enters lockdown - Monday, March 23
No matter how inevitable a lockdown in Britain was, it was still always going to be quite a moment when the words were actually uttered by Boris Johnson at the 5pm news conference.
"I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home", said Mr Johnson, as he addressed the nation. He spoke of the "huge national effort" needed "to halt the growth of this virus" and that, without this, "there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope."
People were told they could only leave their homes to shop for basic necessities, exercise once a day, and travel to and from work if absolutely necessary.
Tuesday, March 24
Many events had already been cancelled before the lockdown was implemented, but the day after the PM's historic announcement, one of the world's biggest sporting events of all time was postponed for a whole year. The 2020 Olympic Games, due to be held in Tokyo, will now take place in summer 2021.
The Government announced it was working to bring thousands of stranded Brits back home after flights were cancelled and borders of various countries began closing, revealed a temporary hospital would be built to help ease the pressure on the NHS and called on 250,000 volunteers to join the effort.
And Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin told his 40,000 staff to get a job at Tesco after the chain's 850 pubs were forced to close.
Wednesday, March 25
The Coronavirus Act was passed, giving the Government and other authorities "unprecedented" powers, including police being allowed to issue fines for breaking lockdown rules.
It was on this same day KentOnline published a heartbreaking video which helped illustrate how serious the virus can get and why we all need to stay at home. Heavily pregnant mum-of-three Karen Mannering, filmed herself lying in a hospital bed "fighting for her baby's life" after contracting coronavirus. Struggling for breath, the 39-year-old from from Herne Bay fights back tears as she tells how she has been ill for two weeks and has pneumonia in both of her lungs.
Karen Mannering warns others to stay at home
On a more positive note, more than 400,000 people came forward to volunteer for the NHS in the fight against Covid-19 in just 24 hours. This was 150,000 more than the Government hoped for.
Thursday, March 26
From the beginning of this pandemic, it is safe to say NHS staff have been working extremely hard to fight against the virus - putting their own health at risk for the sake of others. Despite the long shifts and limited resources, the health service never gives up. So, as a nation, we decided to come together and applaud the NHS - which started of a weekly tribute at 8pm every Thursday.
Rochester Cathedral and the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury lit up blue as residents took to their doorsteps to show their appreciation. Videos of whole streets clapping away went viral - a collective symbol of hope at a dark time.
People across Kent clapped for the NHS
Rishi Sunak announced self-employed people could apply to get 80% of their average monthly profits over the last three years. The scheme is open to anyone with trading profits of up to £50,000. The Chancellor said the financial relief "matches" the provisions announced for employed people the previous week - which states the Government will pay 80% of people's salaries up to £2,500 a month.
Friday, March 27
The fact that coronavirus doesn't care who you are - anyone can catch it no matter their health or situation - really hit home when the Prime Minister and health secretary both tested positive for the virus, and the chief medical officer Chris Whitty then also went into isolation after experiencing symptoms. Kent MPs expressed their well wishes, with Thanet South MP Craig Mackinlay describing it as a very "sobering moment".
Besides the diagnoses, the Government also announced two more temporary hospitals would open - in Manchester and Birmingham as well as London.
Plus, supermarkets began ramping up their social distancing measures, schools started using 3D printers to make visors for the NHS and a drive thru assessment centre opened at Tonbridge School.
Saturday, March 28
After more than a fortnight battling pneumonia of both lungs, pregnant mum-of-three Karen Mannering was finally allowed to go home to her family.
And the Prime Minister sent out a letter to every UK household, urging them to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. For most of us, this was the first and last time we will ever receive a letter from Number 10.
Sunday, March 29
The first Government-funded food parcels were delivered to those at highest risk from coronavirus in the biggest drive to provide supplies to those in need since World War Two.
Community and volunteer groups across the county have also been working hard to make sure no one is forgotten during the pandemic and everyone has the food and essentials they need.
Monday, March 30
The start of the second week in lockdown saw couples and families banned from shopping together at Waitrose as the supermarket upped its efforts against coronavirus.
An Ashford doctor raised an incredible £1 million to get frontline NHS workers vital protective gear necessary to battle the deadly virus after starting up a crowdfunding campaign.
But the most popular story of the day - and quite possibly of the year for KentOnline - was one family from Faversham who captured the heart's of thousands with their lockdown-themed rendition of a Les Misérables song.
The Marsh family's song went viral
Wednesday, April 1
People began going a bit stir crazy after more than a week in lockdown, which led to a spike in DIY head-shaving and some rather dodgy-looking barnets.
Thursday, April 2
In the fight against coronavirus, mass testing is absolutely crucial so the government decided to set a target of 100,000 a day by the end of the month.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced he was writing off £13.4 billion of hospitals' historic debt.
Friday, April 3
Heartbroken colleagues shared tributes to a QEQM nurse and mum-of-three from Margate, who died after contracting coronavirus.
It was later announced a permanent memorial will be erected outside the hospital Aimee O'Rourke worked at, for the "hard-working, dedicated and hugely popular" woman.
Sunday, April 5
With his symptoms persisting for more than 10 days, Boris Johnson was taken into hospital. His admission to St Thomas' Hospital was said to be a “precautionary measure” on the advice of his doctor, according to Number 10. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab was appointed his deputy, speaking on behalf of the PM while he was away.
Monday, April 6
Despite Mr Raab saying at the previous evening's press conference that the PM was still in charge, things took a turn for the worst as it was announced he had been taken into intensive care.
It was this same day that the Nightingale Hospital in London was completed after just nine days. With the help of a Gurkha Engineer Regiment, based at Invicta Park Barracks in Maidstone, the UK's largest hospital was ready to accept patients.
Police also introduced a site for Kent residents to report those breaching the lockdown rules.
Tuesday, April 7
Kent Police revealed a total of six fines had been issued to people in the county flouting social distancing guidelines.
Wednesday, April 8
One of the upsides to people staying inside more - crime in Kent halved. The police reported they had 46.5% fewer reports come in over the last week of March compared to the same period last year.
Thursday, April 9
Darent Valley Hospital's first Covid-19 patient was greeted by a huge round of applause from staff after being discharged. Dartford Uber driver Biniam Kidane, 43, spent almost three weeks in hospital, and became critically ill in intensive care. Mr Kidane's condition improved steadily until he was finally well enough to be discharged home back to his wife and children. He walked through the hospital accompanied by doctors and nurses to warm applause from staff lining the corridors.
Darent Valley Hospital's first Covid-19 patient leaves hospital
Saturday, April 11
It was a rather morbid moment - but also a stark reminder of why we are all staying at home - when the first pictures of a temporary morgue being built in Aylesford emerged.
Sunday, April 12
Worshippers were unable to attend their usual church service to celebrate Easter Sunday, so the Archbishop of Canterbury delivered a sermon from his kitchen instead. Justin Welby would typically address a congregation of 1,500 at Canterbury Cathedral but instead recorded a stirring Easter message on an iPad at his London flat.
The Queen also gave her first ever televised Easter speech, telling the nation "coronavirus will not overcome us".
And to top off the day, Mr Johnson was discharged from hospital.
Tuesday, April 14
Worrying figures emerged showing the Covid-19 death toll could be a lot higher than we at first thought, due to the deaths counted had so far just been those at hospitals - not at care homes or other places. The Office for National Statistics concluded the number was probably around 15% higher.
Wednesday, April 15
NHS staff started receiving tests for coronavirus at one of the county's first drive-thru testing centres. Healthcare workers from Medway and Swale got swab tests at the facility at Medway Maritime Hospital while a host of sites also opened at hospitals throughout Kent.
Thursday, April 16
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab announced the lockdown will be extended for at least three more weeks, to next be reviewed on Thursday, May 7.
A 99-year-old veteran, Captain Tom Moore completed his 100th lap of his garden - raising £12 million for the NHS. Winning the hearts of millions across the nation, Captain Moore was joined by a special guard of honour by the 1st battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment as he walked across the finish line in his Bedfordshire garden. His initial, modest target was £1,000 - it has now reached more than £27 million, with many continuing to donate after the laps were completed.
Friday, April 17
We found out more people have recovered from coronavirus in Kent's seven major hospitals than have died.
Sunday, April 19
An NHS frontline worker completed a miraculous recovery from coronavirus - after mouthing a marriage proposal to his girlfriend over FaceTime while paralysed in intensive care. Radiographer Paul Skegg was admitted to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford on April 3 with the deadly illness, and developed an extremely rare complication called Guillain-Barré Syndrome - where the body's immune system attacks its own nerves, leading to "total muscular paralysis. But, after receiving ground-breaking therapy, he began to recover. One of the doctors at the hospital, Dr Johnathan Kwan said: "His rapid recovery is just short of a miracle."
Monday, April 20
It is revealed a five-year-old died from Covid-19 at a Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford earlier in April - thought to be Europe's youngest victim of the virus.
Wednesday, April 22
Neighbours frightened of becoming infected with Covid-19 began shunning frontline workers. One Sittingbourne mum said: "My daughter, who is a nurse, and her partner who is a consultant at Medway Maritime Hospital, have gone from seeing neighbours knocking on their front door and clapping, to the same people shouting and texting abuse at them for apparently bringing coronavirus close to their doorstep. These people should be named and shamed, which I would gladly do, but my daughter wouldn't."
The desperate battle to get more protective equipment to hospitals continued. Doctors and nurses across Kent say they are putting their lives on the line every day as “inadequate” protective gear leaves them exposed to Covid-19. Scores of frontline staff have contracted the virus and hundreds are off sick, while many have been left critically ill in intensive care. However, some hospital chiefs have dismissed there is a crisis over lack of PPE.
An overview
There is no doubt this has been an extraordinary month.
It has been tough - especially for those who have lost loved ones to coronavirus, and those who have been on the frontline, tirelessly battling against the pandemic.
But, as is often the case when human kind finds itself in unique, difficult situations - we have quickly learnt to adapt.
Hundreds across the county have been volunteering their time to help people in need - from sewing scrubs and face masks to cooking free meals for vulnerable residents, hosting gigs in the front garden or just simply calling a lonely neighbour for a chat.
We have shown how we will not be defeated by this virus - we've got through one month so we have the strength to get through the next.
KMTV's review of a month in lockdown
