Alzheimer's Society responds to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics on coronavirus deaths in care homes
2 min read
The news from the Office for National Statistics that coronavirus deaths are so much higher than thought, with hundreds of previously unannounced deaths in care homes, will be a massive worry for families living with dementia across the UK.
Sally Copley, Director of Policy, Campaigns and Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
“The news from the Office for National Statistics that coronavirus deaths are so much higher than thought, with hundreds of previously unannounced deaths in care homes, will be a massive worry for families living with dementia across the UK.
“If the Government isn’t counting these deaths, how can it be taking the taking the urgent and necessary action to address them? It strikes us that these deaths from coronavirus are the iceberg, and the hospital figures just the tip: the evidence from Europe shows more than 40 percent of all deaths relating to coronavirus occur in care homes, so our fear is that potentially thousands of UK deaths are being missed from official figures. The Government needs to commit to daily updates on care home deaths if we are to understand the full impact of coronavirus and take urgent action. A clear testing strategy for care homes needs to be rolled out nationally as well as readily available personal protective equipment for staff.
“Amid all the figures being published we should remember that every one of these deaths is a tragedy for the family involved. That's why Alzheimer's Society is campaigning for the Government to do everything in its power to keep people with dementia safe during this pandemic.”
