'Stringent procedures' to remain in place as Hampshire care homes record just one new Covid death

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) between June 20 and 26 there was one care home coronavirus related death in the Hampshire County Council area.

In Portsmouth and Southampton there were none.

This is a drop from the previous week when there were five deaths in the Hampshire council area and a significant overall drop as there have been as many as 81 in a week.

However, Councillor Liz Fairhurst, Hampshire County Council's health boss said stringent procedures would remain in place. She said: 'While the continuing downward trend in positive cases, and the significant decrease in those passing away as a result Covid-19, is encouraging news for care home residents, their families and those who look after them, we remain vigilant.

'In our own care homes, we continue to follow the same stringent procedures that we have done throughout the pandemic to ensure we minimise the risk of infection spreading, and are supporting the independent care sector to do likewise.

'We all look forward to a time when we can relax our processes and welcome back visitors – but now is not the time.'

This matches the national decline as there were 132 deaths in English care homes between June 20 and 26, and 192 in the week of June 13.

However, the Hampshire County Council area has still seen the most care home deaths linked to Covid-19 since records began on April 10 with 386.

The total in Portsmouth is 37 and the total in Southampton is 56.

South east secretary for union Unison, Steve Torrance, believed the pandemic should pave the way for reform in the care sector. He said: 'The significant drop in Covid related deaths will be welcomed by everyone, especially care staff who have been pushed to breaking point during the pandemic.

'Staff know they must remain vigilant to protect the vulnerable, but they need support to make sure the people they care for are never put at risk in the same way again. The time for a comprehensive national care service is long overdue.

'Never again should there be vulnerable people dying in their thousands in care homes. The government must introduce fundamental reform to create a system fit for the future, providing care for everyone who needs it.'

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

As previously reported QA Hospital in Portsmouth has had no coronavirus deaths in 23 days. The total remains at 229.

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