Coronavirus: No reductions in care home outbreaks in May despite £7m investment by Department of Health

Despite almost £7m investment so far in NI care homes, the Department of Health (DoH) has not challenged the analysis that it has made no significant reduction in the number of live Covid-19 outbreaks in the past month.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 3rd Jun 2020, 06:30 BST
Updated 3rd Jun 2020, 09:38 BST
The number of confirmed (red) and suspected (yellow) outbreaks in NI care homes remained steady throughout May, though 60 outbreaks were closed (in grey). Graphic from Department of Health.The number of confirmed (red) and suspected (yellow) outbreaks in NI care homes remained steady throughout May, though 60 outbreaks were closed (in grey). Graphic from Department of Health.
The number of confirmed (red) and suspected (yellow) outbreaks in NI care homes remained steady throughout May, though 60 outbreaks were closed (in grey). Graphic from Department of Health.

The DoH has poured huge resources into tackling the virus in care homes, with residents accounting for a hugely disproportionate 53% of NI’s Covid-19-related deaths so far.

At yesterday’s Stormont press conference Health Minister Robin Swann emphasised that strenuous efforts have resulted in 60 care home outbreaks being “closed” last month. However, he did not volunteer the number of outbreaks which are still live, until asked.

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“I can confirm we have 71 active care home outbreaks at this minute in time,” he replied, adding that there are a further 36 suspected outbreaks.

However, as the DoH graphic above shows, this represents no significant reduction in live outbreaks; at the start of May, NI care homes had 75 confirmed and 35 suspected outbreaks and last month closed with the figures almost unchanged, at 71 and 36 respectively.

Responding to the figures, Age NI CEO Linda Robinson told the News Letter: “We are deeply concerned about the number of deaths of older people living in care homes due to Covid-19. Each death represents a loss of a loved one, valued by those who knew them.

“As we get more information about the impact on older people and care homes, it is vital that families and staff are reassured that all necessary resources are allocated to tackle this continuing health crisis.”

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The News Letter put it to the DoH that it is “running harder and harder just to stand still” in the battle against care home outbreaks. It did not challenge this analysis.

A spokeswoman responded that it has now devoted £18.2m to care homes, including a further £11.7m announced yesterday, and provided millions of items of PPE and thousands of health trust staff hours to support the homes, all free of charge.

“The vast majority of homes are thankfully free from Covid-19,” she added. As the DoH website shows, there are currently 71 homes with an outbreak – less than 15% of the total number of care homes.

“There are a further 60 where outbreaks have been successfully closed and this number is continuing to gradually increase. Due to the complex nature of the virus, an outbreak can take some time to close.”

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An outbreak is declared over when there are no new cases for 14 days after symptoms began.

She added that 50% of NI’s 6,500 residents and 7,600 staff have so far been tested. The aim is to reach 100% by the end of June, with rolling tests planned thereafter.

“As we continue to test residents and staff, the proportion testing positive will continue to fall.” A Rapid Learning Initiative is also under way across the NHS, she added.

l See page 13

Related topics:Robin SwannDepartment of HealthDOHCovid-19