Call For Extra Christmas Caution
More care and nursing home deaths
Care providers today made a last-ditch appeal to the public to be extra cautious over Christmas after latest figures showed a further 532 Covid-19 deaths in care and nursing homes.
The Independent Care Group (ICG) which represents care providers, urged families to remember the risks when celebrating the festive season and be extremely cautious, particularly around older and vulnerable people.
The call comes after latest figures showed a further 532 people died from coronavirus in care and nursing homes across England and Wales in the week up to 11th December. That brings the total to 18,964 since 28th December last year.
The Independent Care Group (ICG) is worried that Christmas get-togethers will spark more cases of Covid-19, especially as cases of the new strain are rising so rapidly.
ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: “In truth, all I want for Christmas is for our residents, families and staff to stay safe.
“Today’s figures give us another stark warning that Covid-19 remains a very real and very dangerous threat to the lives and health of our most vulnerable.
“We cannot stress highly enough how vital it is that we all heed the advice of the Government and keep our celebrations short and small this Christmas and remember hands, face and space!
“We desperately want everyone to enjoy Christmas and to see their loved ones if it is safe. But it will be better for everyone if we take extra care now and celebrate properly once this dreadful pandemic is behind us which, if the vaccine is rolled out quickly, should be very soon.”
Today’s figures show that 532 people died from Covid-19 in care and nursing homes in the week up to 11th December, 544 the previous week. Some people died from Covid19 in care and nursing homes between 28th December 2019 and 11th December.
The ICG represents care providers who look after people in their own homes, in care and nursing homes and extra care housing as well as providing day care and support for those with learning disabilities and mental health problems.
