Coronavirus outbreaks at fifty Northamptonshire care homes

Fifty care homes in Northamptonshire have been hit by a coronavirus outbreak.

That means a fifth of the 250 care homes in the county have been affected by the virus according to information released by Northamptonshire County Council.

The total number of coronavirus cases or deaths in these homes is not being released by the authority, nor Public Health England, however the number of residential homes affected in Northants could be even higher than fifty, as an outbreak is only recorded when there are two or more cases in one setting.

There has been concern growing now for many weeks about how the virus is affecting care homes across the country and the lack of transparency from Government.

The official death figures announced each day only relate to those who have died in hospital and do not include care home or community deaths.

The National Care Forum, a body which represents not-for-profit providers, estimated there could be as many as 4,000 deaths in care homes. The national death tally, without care home deaths stands today at 21,092.

Latest figures say there have been 230 coronavirus deaths since the outbreak in Northamptonshire’s two acute hospitals.

A briefing note from the county’s director of adult social services, Anna Earnshaw, which has been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, says there has been regular contact with all Northants care homes and ‘robust management’ which has involved working alongside public health professionals to track all outbreaks.

A hardship fund has also been set up by the council and the health commissioning group to help care homes with extra costs and funding gaps for personal protective equipment.

All care home staff with Covid-19 symptoms are also now able to get tested at Northampton General Hospital and there has been a partnership arranged with Age UK to provide link workers for each home.

In the briefing note Anna Earnshaw says: “Our focus remains the welfare of residents and we have significantly increased the focus on prevention and infection control working with NHFT and Public Health and ahead of the roll out of increased testing in the care homes. This will continue and we have also set up additional sites supported by health partners should we need to move any residents or for any residents that cannot return to their care home from hospital due to their symptoms or a refusal by their care home. All patients are now tested on discharge.”

The names of the residential homes that have had an outbreak have not been released, however it is known there have been coronavirus deaths at Brookfield House in Stanwick.

There are also reports of the Southfield’s House Care Home in Northampton, which is run by Northamptonshire County Council. However the authority has so far refused to confirm the outbreak.

Labour councillor Danielle Stone, who is shadow portfolio holder for adult social care said it was a very worrying situation.

She said: “Because of a lack of testing, we are not sure of the true situation. It is very worrying for the care providers and what I am hugely concerned about is the staff who are on the frontline.”

A spokesman for the county council said: “In line with guidance from Public Health England we are unable to release specific figures in relation to those in care homes who have been tested, confirmed positive or who have sadly died. This is because sharing this information would risk identifying individuals.

“We are monitoring and recording all symptomatic and confirmed cases of covid-19 within the care sector and working closely with care homes to ensure they are fully supported during this time. This includes ensuring appropriate PPE is available to them, helping to keep both staff and customers safe.

“Since early March we have been running a provider hub to provide advice and guidance to care providers and take requests for PPE. This is also supported by CCG staff. This is open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. Providers can contact the hub directly via [email protected] and 01604 361311.”

Yesterday (April 27) the Government announced a £60,000 compensation payment for the families of health and social care staff who die from coronavirus.

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