Eight residents die at Staffordshire care home after testing positive for coronavirus
Eighteen residents and one staff member at a Staffordshire care home have tested positive for the coronavirus and eight of those residents have now died.
In just over three weeks, there have been 24 deaths at Bradwell Hall Nursing Home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, including the eight who tested positive, while the other people were not tested for the virus.
Edward Twigge, owner of the home, which currently houses around 140 residents said the past three weeks have been "truly heart-breaking for everyone involved".
The care home has been working closely with the local council, Public Health England and the NHS during the outbreak and have been closed to new admissions for more than three weeks.
Speaking about the deaths at Staffordshire's largest care home, Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health and Care, said: “Over the past few weeks, like many places, Staffordshire has seen a number of care homes affected by the virus, including Bradwell Hall which has sadly seen a number of residents pass away."
Meanwhile, Dr Nic Coetzee, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at Public Health England, (PHE) West Midlands said: “PHE is working closely with the council, local NHS and Bradwell Hall Nursing Home to provide support and advice and ensure the residents and healthcare workers are cared for."
Mr Twigge added: "It's always upsetting when someone passes away. However, the last three weeks have been truly heart-breaking for everyone involved with the home."
The government has said anyone who needs a coronavirus test in the social care system will be able to have one "immediately".
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that testing would be expanded to symptomatic care home residents and those discharged from hospitals to homes, as well as all staff who need a test.
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