The latest figures from Public Health England, showing a further fall in Covid-19 outbreaks in Wirral care homes, have been welcomed by a local Councillor.

Since 6 April, when 18 of the borough’s 127 reported an outbreak, just one care home has reported an outbreak in the latest week. 

In total, 56 of the Borough’s care homes have reported outbreaks since reporting began on 9 March.

Councillor Mary Jordan (Conservative, Clatterbridge Ward), said: “The fall in the number of care homes reporting an outbreak is a reflection of the hard work and commitment made by the staff, the families of the residents and with the support from our NHS.”

“The extra £4.7 million given to Wirral from the Government’s new Infection Control Fund is also making a difference and is being used to support the care of almost 4,000 care home residents and domiciliary care providers.

“Every care home in Wirral should now have the resources they need to reduce the risk of further outbreaks.”

The Infection Control Fund is part of a new package of support for care home residents and staff, including limiting staff movement, protecting wages and giving access to NHS personal protective equipment (PPE) training.

All councils are now required to conduct a daily review of care homes in their area to ensure care homes have the support they need with staffing, help with accessing PPE and other areas of operation.

The NHS now ensures that each care home has a named clinical contact to provide better access to clinical advice through weekly check-ins to review their patients, and offer direct support for staff with use of equipment and medication.

All symptomatic and asymptomatic care home staff and residents in England are already eligible for testing, and testing is prioritised for care homes that look after the over 65s.