Coronavirus-related deaths in King's Lynn & West Norfolk rise in care homes
41 were reported in the last count
Nearly half a dozen more coronavirus-related deaths have occurred in care homes in King's Lynn and West Norfolk over the last fortnight, figures reveal.
Care leaders say the latest figures demonstrate the "awful toll" of the pandemic on care homes nationally.
Office for National Statistics data shows 263 deaths involving Covid-19 were provisionally registered in King's Lynn and West Norfolk up to 23 January.
Of those 52 occurred outside hospital - including 41 in care homes, up from the 36 registered two weeks earlier.
There were six deaths at private homes, and a further five deaths in hospices, other community establishments or elsewhere.
The figures include deaths that occurred up to January 15 but were registered up to eight days later.
Across England and Wales, 98,100 deaths involving Covid-19 were provisionally registered up to 23 January.
Of those, 1,271 occurred in care homes in the seven days to January 15, more than double the 560 reported two weeks earlier.
Mike Padgham, chairman of the Independent Care Group, which represents providers in York and North Yorkshire, said the virus is "still claiming too many lives".
He said:
"We must never lose sight of the fact that every loss is a loved one - a wife, a husband, a mother, a father, an aunt, an uncle, or a friend.
"At the start of the pandemic there is no doubt that care and nursing homes did not get the protection they needed and were at the back of the queue when it came to getting access to personal protective equipment and proper testing, which might explain why the sector has suffered so much."
Helen Wildbore, director of the Relatives and Residents Association, a national charity for older people needing care, said:
"These are heart-breaking figures which belie the ‘protective ring’ the Government claim to have thrown around care homes.
"These figures will be alarming and concerning for residents and their relatives, but also frustrating given the sacrifices families are making around contact, yet the virus is still getting into care homes."
Meanwhile, National Care Forum executive director Vic Rayner said it is "vital" the public continue to stick to lockdown rules and curb the spread of the virus.
In the two weeks to January 23 in King's Lynn and West Norfolk:
Deaths outside hospital increased by six, climbing to a total of 52
Hospital deaths increased by 36 to 211
The overall death toll climbed by 42