Outbreaks of Covid ‘most likely in large care homes’
OUTBREAKS of coronavirus are up to 20 times more likely in large care homes, according to research.
An NHS Lothian and Edinburgh University study looked at 189 care homes in the health board area and found 70 – 37% – of them had experienced a Covid-19 outbreak.
In homes with fewer than 20 residents, the chance of an outbreak was five per cent.
But in facilities with 60 to 80 residents, the likelihood rose to between 83% and 100%, according to analysis first reported in The Guardian.
The report suggests creating “bubbles” within homes could help with infection control. It states: “Additional measures to respond to new outbreaks of Covid-19 will also be required, including maintaining high provision of adequate personal protective equipment.” attractions can also welcome visitors from today, although in many cases you will need to book tickets in advance. “Hairdressing services resume today, in fact I understand some opened at midnight (because of) demand. I wish I had known about that.
“The changes are long awaited and have been very hard-earned by everybody across the country.
“But I have to say that I am even more nervous about today’s changes than I have been about earlier changes in previous phases of coming out of lockdown.” Many of the changes involve indoor activity, she said, adding that the risk of the virus spreading indoors, in a pub for example, is significantly higher than it is outdoors.
“That is why we have deliberately waited until infection levels were very low before allowing these services to restart, that gives us the best possible chances of managing the risk that reopening indoor services creates.
“But it doesn’t remove those risks, and so it is vital – more vital than it has been at any stage of this crisis so far – that all of us stick rigidly to the rules and guidance on how to behave in these different settings.”
Referring to fresh lockdown restrictions in California – where bars, cinemas and restaurants have had to close down again – the First Minister said: “That must be a reminder that our progress out of lockdown could yet go into reverse.
“And it will go into reverse if we see signs that the virus is starting to spread widely in the community again.
“So all of us must do everything we can to ensure that doesn’t happen.”