Coronavirus: Care homes in England warned of rise in infections

The government has written to care home providers in England to warn them of a rise in new coronavirus infections within the sector.

A letter from the Department of Health urged care bosses to take "necessary action to prevent and limit outbreaks".

Cases were mainly among staff but risked spreading to residents, it said.

It comes as a further 3,330 positive cases were recorded in the UK – the third consecutive day in which cases have been over 3,000.

It brings the total number of confirmed cases to 368,504.

Five more deaths of people who had a positive test within the previous 28 days were also reported. This brings the UK total to 41,628.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told the BBC the key to preventing mass outbreaks was to ensure availability of testing for care homes.

Friday's letter from the Department of Health and Social Care said testing data had revealed an increase in the number of positive results in care homes and called on the care sector to work with the government.

"You will know already that we are experiencing a rise in confirmed Covid-19 cases across the UK population," wrote Stuart Miller, director of adult social care delivery.

"I need to alert you to the first signs this rise is being reflected in care homes too.

"I am writing at the earliest opportunity, so we can work in partnership to prevent further spread of the disease. The rapid flow of data and information, to and from care providers, is vital to this effort."

Mr Miller said the infections had been detected chiefly among staff but had been transmitted to residents in some cases. He went on to stress "the importance of regular testing and consistent use of PPE".

'Looking over our shoulder'

Speaking to the BBC, social care provider Mike Padgham – who runs four care homes in North Yorkshire – said the letter "doesn't tell us anything we didn't know already".

He said there were currently no cases of coronavirus in any of his care homes, but called for clarity around visiting, as the R number – the reproduction rate of Covid-19 – has recently increased.

"At present, things are fairly calm, but we are looking over our shoulder at what is coming next," he said.

Mr Padgham, regional chairman of the Independent Care Group, said one of his homes had reopened to visitors only last week for the first time since March, but since receiving the letter, he was now wondering if visits were a good idea.

He said his "natural instinct was to allow visits" – in keeping with families' wishes – but added he "would like more guidance".

"You're damned if you do, damned if you don't…" he added.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland commented on an article in the Sunday Times, citing a leaked report, that positive cases of coronavirus had been identified in 43 care homes across England.

He told BBC One's Andrew Marr programme the key to preventing mass outbreaks was to ensure "availability of testing" for carRead More – Source

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