'Concern' for staff and residents as Covid deaths in Hampshire care homes start to rise

Following a month where there were no Covid deaths in care homes in the Hampshire County Council area, latest figures from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have shown numbers have risen through October and November.

Between November 7 and 13 there were six Covid related deaths, and the previous week there were three. There were two from October 17 to 23 and on September 25 there was one.

Before then the last Covid death was on August 26, and weekly figures remained low after June.

During the first 'spike' of Covid there were as many as 89 deaths in Hampshire care homes in one week.

This matches the trend nationwide where coronavirus deaths are now up to 90 a day - but in August and September these were at single figures.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire County Council, said: 'We continue to do our utmost to ensure that robust safeguards remain in place across Hampshire’s care homes to protect our residents, visitors and staff.

'National guidance on precautionary measures to limit infections are being robustly applied and we are working collaboratively with key partners and representative organisations of the care sector issue frequent updates, guidance and continue to support all care home providers.

'Our public health team assess the local infection rates on a daily basis and work with relevant partners to understand the impact on care homes to ensure that prompt action can be taken, when required. Care homes have received national funding and additional support to maintain high standards of infection control and to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission.'

SEE ALSO: 25 Covid positive patients were released from QA Hospital into care homes

The Hampshire County Council area has seen the highest number of deaths since records began on April 10 in England with a total of 466. The total in England now stands at 15,699.

It comes as Gracewell Healthcare, which has a care home in Fareham, announced an 'enhanced visitors' scheme to allow selected relatives who are tested for Covid to help their loved ones with daily activities.

In Portsmouth care homes there have been 40 Covid deaths since April 10 - the last one was on August 13.

Councillor Matthew Winnington, Portsmouth council's health boss, said they were following 'strict guidance' on infection control.

'As coronavirus cases continue to rise across Portsmouth the protection of residents and staff in care homes continues to be of utmost concern,' he said.

'We continue to work in close partnership with private care homes to ensure that this best practice is taking place throughout the city.'

In Southampton care homes there have been 63 Covid deaths in total. The last one was on October 1.

Some of the weekly figures increase in later data releases when more deaths from the period are notified to CQC.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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