Coronavirus: ‘Growing crisis’ as 92 care homes confirm COVID-19 outbreaks
A total of 92 care homes have reported outbreaks of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, England’s chief medical officer has said.
Speaking at the daily COVID-19 news conference, Professor Chris Whitty said 13.5% of care homes have been affected by the virus.
It comes as it was confirmed that the number of people who have died at a care home in County Durham after suffering symptoms related to the coronavirus reached 13.
The latest death related to COVID-19 at Stanley Park Care Home in Stanley occurred on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, Anita Astle, owner of Wren Hall Nursing Home in Nottinghamshire, has confirmed that nine residents have died after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Professor Whitty said he would like to see testing increased at care homes.
Asked if deaths were recorded properly in such homes, he said: “Everybody who sadly dies, the doctor will make an assessment based on her or his view about what the cause of death is, that’s what the death certificate says in all cases.”
He added: “Doctors take it very seriously and try to make sure that they get as much information to give accurate data.
“One of the things we want to do is to extend the amount of testing of people in care homes as the ability to test ramps up over the next few weeks.
“Because clearly care homes are one of the areas where there are large numbers of vulnerable people and that is an area of risk and therefore we would very much… like to have much more extensive testing.”
Labour’s Liz Kendall said there was a “growing crisis” in care homes.
The shadow minister for social care continued: “Ministers must publish daily figures of deaths in care homes so we know the true scale of the problem and how fast it is spreading.
“They must also ensure social care has the resources it needs and that vital PPE and testing get to care workers on the frontline.”
Munira Wilson, health spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, said the latest figures were “incredibly worrying”.
She added: “The Liberal Democrats have long been calling for the staff at care homes, along with NHS staff and social care workers, to be provided with adequate personal protective equipment as well as tests to diagnose if they have the virus.
“These frontline workers are caring for the most vulnerable in our society. It’s vital the government acts quickly before we see even more care homes fall into crisis.”
A spokeswoman for Care UK, the group that runs the County Durham home, said the latest resident to die had symptoms that could indicate the virus, though no test had been done.
She said: “It is with great regret that I have to let you know that we have lost another resident at Stanley Park Care Home late this morning, bringing the total to 13.
“Everyone in the home is really saddened by this news.”
Karen Morrison, regional director of Care UK, said staff were doing everything they could to keep residents safe.
The first case at the home occurred at the end of March, when a resident died in hospital.
Ms Morrison said: “My heart goes out to the families and friends of residents who have passed away over the past few days.
“We are all thinking of them at this difficult time and send our condolences and best wishes.
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