Two Northampton care homes are stopping relatives visiting residents due to coronavirus

Two care homes in Northampton have asked relatives and friends not to visit residents in response to coronavirus.

Timken Grange Care Home in Timken Way South, Duston and Templemore Care Home in Harlestone Road, Dallington have both made the decision to stop friends and family visiting residents.

Timken Grange, which is owned by Oakdale Care Group, will remain closed to visitors ‘until further notice’

A spokeswoman for the care home said: “Given the increasing incidences of Covid-19, as a preventative step, we have asked visitors, including family and friends, to stop routinely visiting our homes until further notice.

“We have not taken this decision lightly, the safety of our residents is, however, paramount.

“We remain in constant communication with family and friends, while reviewing the situation daily.”

The second Northampton care home, Templemore is owned by B&M Care, which has 26 homes across the country.

B&M Care has announced it is ‘cocooning’ all its homes.

A spokeswoman for B&M Care said: “B&M Care have taken the decision to cocoon their care homes as a precautionary measure to minimize the risk of our residents becoming unwell with the Covid-19 virus.

“This cocooning is in place until Wednesday 25th March 2020 and will be reviewed daily whilst we await further advice from Public Health England, WHO or the Care Quality Commission.

“We do not currently have any confirmed or suspected cases in any of our care homes.”

B&M Care also posted a message on its website.

The message added: “B&M Care would like to reassure our residents, their families, our staff and visitors that in line with our 'Coronavirus Strategy: B&M Care', we are prepared for any suspected outbreak in accordance with published NHS Guidelines.

“This includes the potential identification and diagnosis of the virus in someone connected to one of our care homes or Head Office.”

As of 9am today (March 11), 456 people in the UK have tested positive for coronavirus and 6 people have died from the virus, according the Department of Health and Social Care.

According to the Care Qauality Commission (CQC), Public Health England has published guidance for health professionals including on the assessment and management of suspected UK cases, and specific guidance for social or community care and residential settings.