NO new deaths have been linked to coronavirus in St Helens’ care homes for the first time in two months, new figures have revealed.
The figures are published weekly by St Helens Borough Council and show that eight people died in the week leading up to June 12.
None of those are suspected of being linked to coronavirus. The previous week, seven people died, with one death linked to coronavirus.
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Since the start of the outbreak, 204 people have died in the borough’s care homes, 76 of which are suspected of being related to coronavirus.
At the peak of the outbreak in the last week of April, 28 people died, 18 of which were suspected of being related to COVID-19.
The figures are released weekly by the council and are based on death notifications provided by care providers themselves.
A council spokesman said the data provides the most-up-to-date picture regarding the scale of the outbreak in local care homes.
This week’s data also shows that there were seven cases of people being symptomatic in our care homes, up to June 12, with nine positive cases reported, down from 16 the previous week.
Cllr Marlene Quinn, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and health, said the local authority is “encouraged” by the decline.
However, the Labour councillor said the authority will continue to closely monitor the situation, particularly in light of the lockdown restrictions easing.
Cllr Quinn said: “We’re saddened by every death in our care homes, and offer our deepest sympathies to all the families who have lost loved ones during this difficult time.
“In recent weeks the picture in local care homes has been one of steady improvement thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our care workers.
“We and our commissioned care providers are doing all we can to support care workers, from making sufficient testing and PPE available in our care homes and to our community-based care staff, to supporting them with the physical and mental stresses of their role.
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“We’re cautiously optimistic, and while we’re encouraged by the decline we remain vigilant and will continue to monitor the situation closely, especially as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.”
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