THE GREAT ESCAPE - 44 LOCAL CARE HOMES SAFE SO FAR FROM COVID-19 DEVIL DISEASE

A TOTAL of 44 of North East  Lincolnshire's care homes have so far escaped the clutches of the dreaded Covid-19 bug.

That is one of the findings of a report that will be considered at a meeting next week to assess the  coronavirus impact locally as of mid-August when the document was compiled.

It states: "North East Lincolnshire care homes have fared much better than is the case nationally. 

"Public Health England reports that nine out of 53 care homes in the borough  have reported a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 outbreak. 

"This represents 17 per cent of all care homes in the borough and is the lowest (best) in England."

The report, put together by NELC's director of adult services, Beverley Compton, further notes: "Social care staff do not generally feel that they have had the same public and 'official' recognition and support as NHS and other emergency services staff."

This was highlighted in Cleethorpes on Wednesday when there was a joint ceremony, involving the armed forces and civic leaders, specifically to honour the NHS.

There was not a word of recognition for care homes or their workers who are far less well paid and have far fewer resources.

Ms Compton's report continues: "Furthermore, care settings' residents and care workers nationally have, sadly, suffered a disproportionate share of Covid-19 deaths.

"Unfortunately, with the advent of Covid-19, residents found it harder to contact relatives and social isolation has become a subject of national attention. 

"There is anecdotal evidence that this has resulted in more challenging resident behaviour in some cases, with an increase in prescribing medication to control these symptoms as well as referrals to mental health services.

"On the positive side, though, some of our local looked after children initiated a series of postcards to residents as a means of supporting people in homes and making new relationships. 

"Some of the young people have met the residents at a safe social distance."

Ms Compton adds: "The confusing and rapidly changing national guidance has created difficulties around interpretation and dissemination to care homes in a timely fashion."

Note: A total of 220 residents of North East Lincolnshire  have had a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 as of August 9). This is a rate of 137.9 per 100,000 and is by far the lowest in the Yorkshire and Humber region (average rate 601.6 per 100,000) and the lowest of all upper tier councils in England.