A HOSPITAL worker is calling for a day of remembrance dedicated to those who lost their lives due to Covid-19.

Gemma Humes, who works at Furness General Hospital, said she was saddened to see first-hand how families were not able to see loved ones receiving treatment for the virus before their deaths.

Now she is urging the Government to consider a memorial day on March 23 every year to remember those who died from the virus, just as Remembrance Sunday commemorates fallen soldiers.

Miss Humes, 35, has written to Furness MP Simon Fell to campaign for the day and received his support.

Prime minister Boris Johnson has said that a permanent physical memorial would be built to remember the more than 100,000 people across the UK who died after contracting the virus.

According to Public Health England, 159 people in the Barrow borough died, including FGH radiographer Simon Guest.

Miss Humes explained her support for a day to remember those who died and to recognise the efforts of key workers.

She said: "I felt really sorry for loved ones who were really ill and couldn't have visitors.

"I thought if that was me I’d want to me with my family.

"I only saw a very small impact the pandemic was having on the hospital. But it was quite traumatic.

"We’ve lost people - not just NHS staff but other key workers have lost their lives trying to save people and it would be a nice way to show our appreciation.

"We can remember it every year so future generations can say 'this is part of our history'.

"They can look back on that day and remember all the people that we lost.

"It’s been like a fighting a war, an invisible war.

"I'm just hoping Boris will think of having a day."

Barrow MP Mr Fell said he supported the campaign.

He said: "This has been a year like no other and it feels appropriate that we commemorate it and take a moment each year to remember the tremendous sacrifices that people have made, and losses they've endured."