A memorial tree in commemoration of the island’s 106 victims of Covid-19 has been planted.

The Bermuda cedar was placed in the Botanical Gardens in Paget by David Burt, the Premier and Kim Wilson, the health minister.

Mr Burt said more Bermudians had been lost to the pandemic than in both World Wars.

He added: “On Remembrance Day, we took time to reflect on those who served, and last Friday, we took time to remember those we’ve lost to this deadly virus and the families who mourn the loss of their loved ones.”

Ms Wilson said: “We paused to reflect and pay tribute to the 106 people who have died after contracting the coronavirus.

“Many families, friends, and colleagues have been left to mourn their loss.

“Indeed our entire community mourns their loss.

“The cedar tree planted commemorates Bermuda’s coronavirus victims, and I encourage the public to visit the site to pay tribute to them and have a quiet reflection.”

The short ceremony was held last Friday near the 9/11 memorial.

Mr Burt and Ms Wilson were joined by Bishop Vernon Lambe of the First Church of God in Pembroke, who opened the ceremony with a prayer, and Ayo Oyinloye, the chief medical officer, who joined Ms Wilson in laying a wreath of 106 yellow roses next to the cedar tree.