Coronavirus: Care home deaths up as hospital cases fall

A third of all coronavirus deaths in England and Wales are now happening in care homes, figures show.

Office for National Statistics data showed there were 2,000 coronavirus care home deaths in the week ending 17 April, double the previous week.

It brings the total number of deaths in care homes linked to the virus since the start of the pandemic to 3,096.

Projections for the following week – up to last Friday – suggested the numbers have since continued to rise.

In comparison, coronavirus deaths in hospital, which passed 20,000 at the weekend, have started falling after peaking on 8 April.

Mike Padgham, of the Independent Care Group, which represents care homes, said they were now the "true front line" in the fight against coronavirus.

He said: "It is taking a terrible toll. These are our loved ones – mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and friends who have been taken from us early."

A key criticism of the government's approach has been the lack protective equipment for staff and testing for staff and residents.

It was only in the middle of April that the government said all residents showing symptoms could be tested, while the Army is now helping to distribute protective kit.

But Downing Street insisted it had acted to prevent the spread of coronavirus within care homes in the early stages of the pandemic, including guidance issued banning visitors.

The prime minister's official spokesman said: "We want to do all we can to support those living and working in care homes at what we accept is an enormously difficult time."

It came as:

• People across the UK, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, held a minute's silence to remember health and care workers who have died with coronavirus
• The son of an NHS doctor who died with the virus called on Health Secretary Matt Hancock to apologise for mistakes in the government's response to the outbreak
• Mr Hancock said treatments including cancer care and mental health support were being prioritised as the NHS reopened non-emergency services
• A BBC Panorama investigation found the government failed to buy enough PPE to cope with a pandemic. Gowns, visors, swabs and body bags were among the items in short supply
• Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said face coverings would be recommended for the public in enclosed spaces such as supermarkets
• Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said he has told councils to plan the "organised reopening" of household waste collection sites

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Why official virus care home deaths may be an underestimate

The daily updates provided by government do not include care home deaths.

The ONS has been able to track these by looking at deaths certificates – but that means the data lags behind the hospital deaths provided by the government.

Up until 10 April just over 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths had been recorded in care homes so far.

A week later this had increased by another 2,000 to hit 3,096 in England and Wales.

Data provided by the Care Quality Commission, which receives reports from care homes in England, suggest the following week, up until last Friday, saw an even bigger rise.

Similar trends are being seen in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

But even these figures may be an underesRead More – Source