Half of deaths by coronavirus happening in care homes
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Data gathered from five European countries and collated in a report drawn up by the London School of Economics has found that around half of deaths by the novel coronavirus are happening in care homes.
The academics at the LSE focused on Italy, Spain, France, Ireland and Belgium, concluding that between 42% and 57% of all deaths were related to COVID-19. This led the academics to fear that the figures provided by the British Government were being vastly watered down or underestimated.
Yesterday, Prof Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer at NHS England said there was one confirmed case of coronavirus in more than 13% of care homes around the country. However, the figures picked up from around the continent between 6th and 11th April, seem to indicate a higher rate of infection and death.
The researchers acknowledged the systems for recording deaths linked to homes for the elderly varied between countries. Prof Whitty admitted the need for increased testing in nursing homes: “One of the things we want to do is to extend the amount of testing of people in care homes as the ability to test ramps up over the next few weeks.”
Meanwhile, two of the largest operators of homes for the elderly in Britain revealed that 521 residents had died from the virus in recent weeks, in a strong indication that the rising number of deaths falling outside the NHS.
The numbers provided by the UK Government in its daily updates concern people who pass away in hospitals.
