Care homes in Hampshire record most Covid deaths since April

According to data from the Care Quality Commission there were 102 coronavirus related deaths in the county's care homes between January 16 and 22.

This breaks down by authority as 82 in the Hampshire County Council area, nine in Portsmouth and 11 in Southampton.

It is the highest figure for Hampshire since the week of April 24 when there were 115, and is significantly more than the previous two weeks when there were 61 and 36 respectively.

The Hampshire County Council area has been the second-hardest-hit location in the country with 684 Covid deaths in care homes since records began on April 10. Kent has seen the most deaths with 884.

Nationally coronavirus deaths in care homes have also increased.

SEE ALSO: ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ for care homes receiving vaccine

Between January 16 and 22 there were 1,705 deaths in care homes across England, bringing the total to 23,081. The week previously there were 1,260 deaths.

It comes as Hampshire health bosses said a swift rollout of the Covid vaccine was needed to protect care home residents.

As reported all care homes in Portsmouth have been offered a vaccine, with residents either already vaccinated or booked in to have theirs soon.

In Portsmouth the total number of coronavirus deaths in care homes is now 68 and in Southampton the total is 78.

On January 5, Southampton had its first Covid death in a care home since October 1.

It comes as Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham recently reported there had been 679 coronavirus deaths there since the start of the pandemic.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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