Rise in death toll at Devon care home

TWO more deaths have been reported at a care home in Devon which has suffered an outbreak of Covid-19.

Devon and Cornwall Police is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the outbreak at Holmesley Care Home in Sidford, near Sidmouth.

A significant number of residents and staff have tested positive with coronavirus and there have now been five deaths since Sunday, March 6. The deceased residents all tested positive for the virus.

Ten residents are being treated at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. One member of staff is currently in hospital.

While staff are self-isolating, agency staff have been brought in to care for the residents who remain at the home.

The police investigation was launched following concerns about the outbreak.

As part of their enquiries, officers are speaking to staff and conducted a search of the home. Post-mortems have been conducted on three of the deceased residents.

The investigation is currently being led by Devon and Cornwall Police in partnership with a multi-agency safeguarding response in order to maintain safeguarding of those residents in the home.

North-East and West Devon commander Chief Superintendent Dan Evans said: “I’ve no doubt there will be concern in the community regarding this incident and we are doing everything possible to help those bereaved families, while also working with partners to communicate to those with relatives remaining within the home.

“This is a complex investigation involving ourselves and multiagency partners with safeguarding of residents at its core.

“There is significant work underway to understand the current situation and progress the investigation as quickly as possible, while maintaining the safety of care home residents, staff, police officers and partner agency staff.”

Case numbers have risen since 33 were reported last week.