Seven residents at Stepney care home die with suspected coronavirus

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Seven residents have died with suspected coronavirus infections at a care home near Spider Park in Stepney and another 21 others are ill with possible symptoms, the Evening Standard reported.

A dozen staff from the Hawthorn Green home are also off work, either self-isolating or shielding. The care home has around 50 residents.

The Government’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty said that nearly one in 10 care homes nationwide has already registered cases so the deaths will heighten fears about the threat posed by the virus.

A spokesman for the care home said: “Like many care homes across the UK, Hawthorn Green is now caring for residents who are symptomatic with coronavirus.

“Regrettably, seven residents have died who had symptoms consistent with Covid-19. Twenty-one residents are showing at least one symptom consistent with the virus.

“Immediately upon detecting either a high temperature, a cough, shortness of breath or any combination of these each resident is cared for in isolation in accordance with strict infection control measures.”

There are concerns about the care sector’s ability to cope with the virus and there has been warnings over a lack of protective equipment for staff.

The Department of Health said: “We are working around the clock to give the social care sector the support they need to tackle this outbreak, including providing personal protective equipment to over 26,000 care home providers across the country.”