Boris Johnson thanks hospital staff for saving life as Queen delivers first Easter message

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has thanked medical staff for saving his life, as the Queen delivers her first ever Easter message.

The Queen has delivered her first ever Easter message, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked medical staff for saving his life.

Her Majesty, the head of the Church of England and a woman of deep personal faith, made the audio message partly because coronavirus had cancelled services.

“This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart we keep others safe,” the Queen said.

“But Easter isn’t cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever. The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this. We know that coronavirus will not overcome us.

“As dark as death can be - particularly for those suffering with grief - light and life are greater.”

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson has thanked hospital staff for saving his life. Picture: AFP

The Queen had made a moving public statement last weekend, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken to hospital.

Mr Johnson praised medical staff at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where he is still recovering.

“I can’t thank them enough. I owe them my life,” he said.

Meanwhile there were serious concerns about a lack of protective equipment for medical staff.

Britain’s Home Secretary Priti Patel was slammed for her comments after it was revealed 19 health workers had died.

Some British nurses had been wearing bin bags for protection and Britain has been flying in kit from Turkey and China.

The Queen reassured Britons that better times were ahead. Picture: AFP

Ms Patel was asked if she would apologise to the families of those who had died because they claimed there was a lack of PPE.

“I’m sorry if people feel that there have been failings. I will be very, very clear about that,” she said.

“But at the same time, we are in an unprecedented global health pandemic right now.

“It is inevitable that the demand and the pressures on PPE and demand for PPE are going to be exponential. They are going to be incredibly high.”

The UK had to call in the army to get some of its protective kit out to hospitals.

Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, a doctor who wrote to Mr Johnson pleading with him to do more about a PPE shortage, died last week.

Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel. Picture: AFP

An internal hospital document, seen by The Mirror newspaper, claimed that hospital staff were being measured up for PPE made of plastic curtains.

The UK recorded another 917 deaths on Sunday, including an 11-year-old, bringing the overall fatalities to 9,875.

Piers Morgan, a leading British TV host, said he was disappointed at Ms Patel’s comments.

“Pathetic weasley words of non-apology for the Govt’s shameful failure to properly protect our NHS staff,” he said.

Opposition health spokesman Jonathan Ashworth said it was a “half-hearted apology.”

The UK lockdown was into its third week, with glorious sunshine and 24 degree weather tempting Brits out of their bunkers.

Priti Patel’s half-hearted apology has been slammed. Picture: Getty

But the government pleaded with people to stay at home, as infections were expected to peak in the UK on Easter Sunday.

The lockdown has had side effects though, with a 120 per cent increase in calls to a domestic violence hotline.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in hospital. Picture: AFP

The UK government announced a $4 million funding boost to help domestic violence victims.

Fraudsters had already fleeced people out of millions of dollars, the UK government added.

THE QUEEN’S EASTER ADDRESS:

“Many religions have festivals which celebrate light overcoming darkness. Such occasions are often accompanied by the lighting of candles.

“They seem to speak to every culture, and appeal to people of all faiths, and of none. They are lit on birthday cakes and to mark family anniversaries, when we gather happily around a source of light. It unites us.

“As darkness falls on the Saturday before Easter Day, many Christians would normally light candles together.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is a devout churchgoer. Picture: AFPl

“In church, one light would pass to another, spreading slowly and then more rapidly as more candles are lit.

“It’s a way of showing how the good news of Christ’s resurrection has been passed on from the first Easter by every generation until now.

“This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart we keep others safe.

“But Easter isn’t cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever. The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this. We know that coronavirus will not overcome us.

“As dark as death can be – particularly for those suffering with grief – light and life are greater.

“May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future.

“I wish everyone of all faiths and denominations a blessed Easter.

Elizabeth R

[e-mail]

Originally published as Boris Johnson thanks hospital staff for saving life as Queen delivers first Easter message