Responding to the latest ONS figures on coronavirus deaths, which show that deaths involving COVID-19 as a percentage of all deaths in care homes decreased to 12.9 per cent in the week to 19 June, compared with 17.3 per cent in the previous week, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“Our thoughts go out to all those who have lost loved ones to this dreadful disease.
“Significantly, the number of weekly deaths have fallen below the five-year average for the first time since March, with the number of deaths attributable to coronavirus in care homes also continuing to fall each week.
“Despite these encouraging signs, social care remains on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus and our older people and most vulnerable continue to be at risk.
“Worryingly the number of people dying at home is still higher than the five-year average, which could suggest that some are choosing not to go to hospital or receive help elsewhere.
“Councils are doing all they can to protect those in care homes, as well as those receiving care in their own homes.
“The Government needs to ensure that councils and social care services have all the resources they need for the weeks and months ahead. The LGA is working closely with the new National COVID-19 Social Care Support Taskforce to tackle these issues and help guide social care through this current crisis and beyond.”
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