Third of English care homes report coronavirus outbreak

Around a third of care homes in England have reported an outbreak of coronavirus, according to new figures.

Data published by Public Health England yesterday (29 April) show an average of 29.7% of care homes have reported an outbreak.

The North East had the highest regional percentage, with 38.1% of homes reporting an outbreak.

While the South West had the lowest regional percentage, with 21.4%.

More than 3,000 care homes in the South East have reported an outbreak, but this represents 28% of all the homes in the region.

In addition, new figures from the Scottish government have revealed that 51% of adult care homes north of the border have lodged at least one notification for suspected coronavirus with the Care Inspectorate.

The latest Scottish figures show a total of 3,095 cases of suspected COVID-19 in care homes and 3,732 staff reported as absent in adult care homes due to coronavirus.

Separate figures issued by National Records of Scotland show 39% of all registered deaths involving COVID-19 have occurred in care homes.

‘Every death from this virus is a tragedy,’ said director of statistical services, Pete Whithouse.

‘These statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland are valuable to the understanding of the progress and impact of the COVID-19 virus across Scotland.’

Earlier this week, Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) jointly published new figures, which show care homes have reported more than 4,300 coronavirus-related deaths in a fortnight.

The Department of Health and Social Care has also announced this week it is expanding its testing programme.

As part of the expansion, all NHS staff, care home staff and care home residents will be eligible for testing whether or not they have symptoms.

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