Shock As Care Homes Deaths Top 1,000 A Week
But providers hope deaths will now fall
Care providers today warned that Covid-19 had not gone away – despite the vaccine programme – after new figures revealed that almost 1,300 people had died in care and nursing homes in a week.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistic show that 1,271 people died from Covid-19 in care and nursing homes in the week up to 15th January – a jump from 960 the previous week and 560 the week before that. Some 22,892 people died from Covid19 in care and nursing homes between 28th December 2019 and 15th January.
The Independent Care Group (ICG) says it hopes figures will now start to fall as the impact of the vaccination programme and lockdown kick in.
ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: “Today’s figures make grim reading once again and our thoughts go out to everyone who has lost someone to Covid-19.
“Hopefully, the figures will soon start to improve as we always knew there would be a lag before the impact of lockdown and the vaccine started to show.
“At the same time, these figures once again demonstrate that Covid-19 is still taking an awful toll and we cannot afford to become complacent.
“Yes, we now have vaccines, and the Government is to be congratulated on the speed at which it is protecting the vulnerable. But Covid-19 is not beaten yet and we must remain cautious and, on our guard, observing all the guidance and keeping everyone in care settings – care and nursing homes and those receiving care in their own homes – as safe as we can, alongside those who are caring for them.
“The news that carers are going to be supplied with lateral flow tests they can do at home is another positive step and will hopefully have an impact and help protect carers who are selflessly looking after others.”
