Care homes in Portsmouth could reach 'tipping point' if Covid cases continue to rise

The city council's director of adult social care, Andy Biddle, said the risk to homes depended on the number of coronavirus cases in the second wave, regardless of how much planning was in place.

It comes as the city has seen a rise in cases with 33 new infections reported on November 22 - bringing the rate so far to 1,891.1 cases per 100,000 residents.

Speaking at a health overview and scrutiny panel (Hosp) meeting Mr Biddle said: 'Whether we will be better prepared depends on the second wave. In terms of contingency we can plan so far. But there's a tipping point where we don't have the resource to respond.

'We are seeing a lot more positive infections and exposures in care environments than we saw in the first wave.

'I think we are seeing the hospital under increasing pressure to manage both its elective timetable its normal winter pressures and the pressures from Covid and that always impacts community services.

'If we keep managing to respond we will be OK and we will come through the second wave. It does depend on the numbers though.'

As reported a total of 40 care home residents in Portsmouth died of Covid-19 between April 10 and November 13. The last death was recorded on August 13.

SEE ALSO: Latest Covid-19 rates for Hampshire

Mr Biddle added: 'I think we are in a better place because of the lessons we have learnt in wave one.

'We have made the decision to keep services set up this time such as respite as we saw the situation it put on people not being able to access respite and day services.'

He also reported that no care homes in the city ran out of PPE during the first wave, although the council was contacted by homes who were within 24 hours of running out.

The Hampshire County Council area has seen the highest number of coronavirus deaths in care homes in England with a total of 466 since records began.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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