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Coronavirus: Care home deaths up as hospital cases fall Coronavirus: Care home deaths up as hospital cases fall
(about 2 hours later)
A third of all coronavirus deaths in England and Wales are now happening in care homes, figures show.A third of all coronavirus deaths in England and Wales are now happening in care homes, figures show.
Office for National Statistics data showed there were 2,000 coronavirus care home deaths in the week ending 17 April - double the previous week. Office for National Statistics data showed there were 2,000 coronavirus care home deaths in the week ending 17 April, double the previous week.
It brings the total number of deaths in care homes linked to the virus since the start of the pandemic to 3,096.
Projections for the following week - up to last Friday - suggested the numbers have since continued to rise.Projections for the following week - up to last Friday - suggested the numbers have since continued to rise.
It comes as coronavirus hospital deaths have started falling after peaking on 8 April. Coronavirus hospital deaths have started falling after peaking on 8 April.
Mike Padgham, of the Independent Care Group, which represents care homes, said care homes were now the "true front line" in the fight against coronavirus. The total number of hospital coronavirus deaths topped 20,000 at the weekend.
He said it was taking a "terrible toll". Mike Padgham, of the Independent Care Group, which represents care homes, said tcare homes were now the "true front line" in the fight against coronavirus.
"These are our lived ones - mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and friends who have been taken from us early. They deserve better." He said. "It is taking a terrible toll. These are our loved ones - mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and friends who have been taken from us early."
He said the sector needed more testing, protective equipment and money to tackle the outbreaks. It came as:
How quickly are care home deaths rising? Why official virus care home deaths may be an underestimate
The daily updates provided by government do not include care home deaths.The daily updates provided by government do not include care home deaths.
The ONS has been able to track these by looking at deaths certificates - but that means the data lags behind the hospital deaths provided by the government.The ONS has been able to track these by looking at deaths certificates - but that means the data lags behind the hospital deaths provided by the government.
Up until 10 April just over 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths had been recorded in care homes so far.Up until 10 April just over 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths had been recorded in care homes so far.
A week later this had increased by another 2,000 to top 3,000 in England and Wales. A week later this had increased by another 2,000 to hit 3,096 in England and Wales.
Projections for the following week - up to last Friday - suggest they rose again. Data provided by the Care Quality Commission, which receives reports from care homes in England, suggest the following week, up until last Friday, saw an even bigger rise.
Similar trends are being seen in Northern Ireland and Scotland.Similar trends are being seen in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
But these figures may be an under-estimate. But even these figures may be an underestimate.
The overall number of people dying in care homes is now three times higher than it was before the pandemic started.The overall number of people dying in care homes is now three times higher than it was before the pandemic started.
Less than half of these extra deaths are being attributed to coronavirus. Fewer than half of these extra deaths are being attributed to coronavirus.
Hospital deaths appear to have peaked Labour's shadow social care minister, Liz Kendall, said it was clear that the virus was having a "devastating impact" on care homes.
At the weekend the government announced hospital coronavirus deaths had topped 20,000 in the UK since the start of pandemic. "Urgent action is needed to get a grip of this problem."
But data from the NHS suggested they peaked on 8 April - in England at least. The government has recently expanded testing so all care home residents showing symptoms are now eligible for tests, while the Army is helping to distribute protective kit for staff.
The ONS data for England and Wales shows a similar trend in hospitals.
What does this mean for excess deaths?What does this mean for excess deaths?
Official figures show the total number of people dying in the UK from all causes in hospitals and the community is double what we would expect for this time of year.Official figures show the total number of people dying in the UK from all causes in hospitals and the community is double what we would expect for this time of year.
Government advisers say this is important to track as it reveals the indirect impact of the pandemic, from factors such as people missing out on care and dying from other conditions, as well as coronavirus deaths. Government advisers say this is important to track as it reveals the indirect impact of the pandemic, from factors such as people missing out on care and dying from other conditions, as well as coronavirus deaths.
In the week to 17 April the total number of deaths in England and Wales topped 22,000 - the highest since records began in 1993.In the week to 17 April the total number of deaths in England and Wales topped 22,000 - the highest since records began in 1993.
Once you include Northern Ireland and Scotland the figures are nearly 25,000.Once you include Northern Ireland and Scotland the figures are nearly 25,000.