Coronavirus: Five Portsmouth care home residents die - four of them had Covid-19 symptoms

The deaths at Harry Sotnick House in Cranleigh Avenue, in Buckland, were confirmed by Portsmouth City Council this afternoon.

The authority said ‘a number’ of other residents are currently being cared for in isolation at the home after showing symptoms of Covid-19.

There has been no formal diagnoses of Covid-19 in those who died there, and they will not be tested.

Latest figures published yesterday by NHS England showed that 73 people have now died of the virus at Queen Alexandra Hospital – after seven deaths on Thursday, five on Friday and two on Saturday. None were recorded on Sunday.

Harry Sotnick House has been closed to visitors since Sunday, March 22.

A council statement said: ‘Portsmouth City Council has confirmed coronavirus cases in one of the city's care homes.’

Councillor Matthew Winnington, Portsmouth City Council's cabinet member for health, wellbeing and social care, said: ‘This is an incredibly sad and difficult time for our residents and families.

‘Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and those who are concerned about the wellbeing of the people in our care.

‘We are doing all we can to keep our residents and staff as safe as possible, and are following the infection control processes we have put in place for Covid-19.

‘We are working with Public Health England specialists. We have shared our plans with them, and they have endorsed the approach we are taking.

‘We're keeping families updated on everything we are doing.’

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Public Health England stipulates coronavirus tests should not be used if there will be no change in the care given to the patient.

Stephen Morgan, the Labour MP for Portsmouth South, said: ‘The tragic news that there have been five confirmed fatalities at Harry Sotnick House associated with Covid-19 is deeply saddening and I convey my heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives. My thoughts are with them at this unimaginable time.

‘Incidences such as this hit home that this is not some distant threat but a threat that poses a real and genuine risk to all our community. We all have a part to play in combatting this dangerous pandemic.

‘We must remain vigilant, thinking of others and acting responsibly, to work for the good of our city and our nation.

‘My thoughts too are with the frontline staff such as a care givers, who are working relentlessly around the clock to help save lives and assisting others in Harry Sotnick House who are in isolation.’

Public Health England said today the number of coronavirus cases in Portsmouth has now risen to 104. In Hampshire there are 921, and in Southampton 149 – making 1,174 cases in the county.

It is more than double the 545 cases across all three council areas as of Monday, March 30.

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Steve Bonner, chairman of the Pompey Pensioners Association, branded the deaths at Harry Sotnick House 'extremely sad’ and urged any non-members to sign up to its support network, by calling (023) 9281 6895.

He added: 'We have all got to respect the rules on self-isolation and we've got to maintain distance when we are out and about.

‘This virus does not stop at older people and we must take it seriously.’

Penny Mordaunt, the Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, said her thoughts are with ‘all those affected’ by the deaths at Harry Sotnick House.

Enhanced measures now in place at the site include a bolstered cleaning regime and the use of personal protective equipment.

The families and carers of the residents who died have been written to and are being supported by the home’s members of staff.

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