Covid-19 death at Kettering care home

A resident at Kettering’s Elm Bank care home has died of coronavirus.

A spokesman for the home in Northampton Road, which is part of the Barchester Healthcare group, has confirmed that a resident had sadly died from the contagion.

They said: “We can confirm that tragically we have had someone with Covid-19 pass away. Every one of these deaths is a tragedy for all of us, and we send our heartfelt condolences to our residents, their families and our staff that have suffered.

“The home is in regular contact with Public Health England and the local authority. The safety and wellbeing of our residents and our staff is our utmost priority and we are closely following the official advice. We respect the privacy of our residents and staff in all matters and can therefore make no further comment at this stage.”

The care home is among the 50 care homes in Northants that have sadly to date had an outbreak of coronavirus. That equates to a fifth of all Northamptonshire care homes having suffered from the virus, with data released from Public Health England last week showing that care homes in Northampton and East Northants have been the worst affected.

According to the Office of National Statistics data, there had been a surge of care home deaths in Northants in the week between April 20 and April 24 with 72 residents dying, 18 of which were definitely coronavirus related. Figures for the week from April 24 have not yet been published.

Barchester Healthcare has stopped all visitors to its home, but has set up Skype calling to ensure that family members can keep in touch with loved ones and staff.

Whenever there is an outbreak, advice is given by the public health infection control team to the care home management.

The director of adult social services at Northamptonshire County Council Anna Earnshaw said any care homes that were short of personal protective equipment were being helped and that all care home staff who have Covid-19 symptoms can now be tested at Northampton General Hospital.