Scarborough care group boss saddened but not surprised over rise in COVID-19 deaths

The Independent Care Group (ICG) said it was saddened but not surprised over death figures for the week ending April 24.

There were 2,794 care home deaths linked to Covid-19 and registered in the week ending April 24, up from 2,050 during the previous seven days - an increase of 36%.

ICG chairman, Mike Padgham, said: “Every person lost to Covid-19 is felt deeply by those caring for them.

"Behind every statistic is a human loss, the tragic passing of a much-loved mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or friend. We must never forget that.

“And for that reason we have to keep redoubling our efforts to tackle coronavirus together.

“Care providers and care workers are doing an amazing job, trying to keep our residents as safe as we can.

"But we cannot do it alone."

“Mr Padgham said more Government support was desperately needed now to get on top of the pandemic.

“We need to see more urgency in testing, we need to see better and quicker access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and we need to see some financial support getting to the front line care providers who are struggling to survive," he said.

“We need the Government to get its act together.

"But in our county, North Yorkshire County Council and the ICG are not waiting for that support and are working together to develop our own support for care providers on the frontline.”

The ICG has previously warned that care providers are being hampered in their fight against Covid-19 through a lack of PPE and insufficient testing.

It has also called on the Government to provide better financial support for care providers amidst concerns that the £3.2bn pledged for local authorities to help them support social care is not getting to the front line.