Amid controversy over the government fatality data, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Care Quality Commission said in a statement today: “The ONS data published yesterday covers the period until 10 April. CQC’s current preliminary analysis is up to 15 April; it is anticipated that the number of deaths in care homes relating to COVID-19 reported by providers between 11 April and 15 April could mean double the number of care home deaths reported yesterday."
“Our thoughts are with everyone who has lost a loved one — and with the care workers who are working tirelessly to provide care and support during the pandemic.”
Health minister Helen Whately said one in four care homes was believed to have been hit by an outbreak, rising to about 30 per cent in London and the North.
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She appealed to GPs and district nurses to give “extra support” to care homes and warned more residents were likely to die in coming days.
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However, Labour accused the Government of failing to put in place a detailed Covid-19 strategy for the care sector as had happened for the NHS. Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth also called for thousands of care home residents struck down with coronavirus symptoms to be moved to hospitals.
