As the NHS marked its 73rd anniversary, there was no question that the past year of its existence had presented the biggest challenge the health and care system has faced in living memory.

A challenge that brought us together, while keeping us apart.

To mark the occasion, we launched a ‘digital tapestry’ documenting key national and local moments in the COVID-19 story of hope and community across mid and south Essex.

From the moment the first UK patients test positive for SARS COVID-19 to the biggest vaccination programme in the NHS’ history.