One fifth of care home deaths in Lincolnshire involve COVID-19

The data, released by the Office for National Statistics, shows that of the 892 deaths reported to the Care Quality Commission across Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire between the weeks ending April 17 and June 19, 173 involved COVID.

The number equates to 19.4 per cent of the overall figure – 18.1 per cent for Lincolnshire alone.

The breakdown for the region for deaths involving COVID-19 is:

Lincs – 114 (up from 71 previously reported by Lincolnshire County Council)

North Lincs – 52

North East Lincolnshire – 7

Total: 173

The breakdown for the region for deaths from all causes as follows:

Lincolnshire – 630

North Lincolnshire – 168

North East Lincolnshire – 94

Total: 892

The government has announced weekly testing will take place in care homes to identify anyone with the virus and further reduce transmission from Monday.

Residents will receive a test every 28 days in a bid to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus in social care.

It follows a study of almost 6,000 care home managers and data from whole care home testing which identified the relatively high prevalence of the virus among care staff, particularly among temporary staff who work in multiple care settings. It has also been noted that there has been a higher infection rate among care staff who are not eligible to paid sick leave, proving personal finances and job security of staff has played a role in decisions whether to turn up for work or stay at home if displaying symptoms.

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock said: “This new testing strategy will not only keep residents and care workers safe, but it will give certainty and peace of mind to the families who may be worried about their loved ones, and give staff the confidence to do what they do best.”