Covid cases in Torbay care homes soar

124 residents suffering from the virus

More than 200 residents and staff in Torbay’s care homes currently have covid as infections continue to soar.

Speaking on Monday 21 March, Torbay’s director of public health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, revealed 124 residents and 124 home staff have the virus. 

It follows skyrocketing infection rates across Torbay, with more than one in 100 people in the area currently infected. 

In the week to Wednesday 16 March, 1,645 infections were recorded in the area, 67 per cent (657) more than the previous seven days. The Bay’s infection rate of 1,208 per 100,000 is nearly 50 per cent higher the national average of 832.

This week the NHS has begun inviting care home residents, people aged 75 and over, and those who are immunosuppressed aged 12 and over for a fourth, ‘spring booster’ jab. Around 894,000 people in Devon are eligible. 

Health bosses are hoping the new booster will help protect vulnerable people from the virus as cases continue to rise.

Because covid restrictions have relaxed, it is believed infection rates are likely to be higher than recorded, and this is likely to get worse as the government ends universal access to free tests on 1 April.

Torbay Director of Public Health Lincoln Sargeant (Courtesy: Local Democracy Reporting Service)

Dr Sargeant is concerned about the end of free testing, saying: “It takes away a key measure in terms of us understanding the asymptomatic spread.” 

He also noted that it will make tracking the infection rate harder when infections that have similar symptoms to covid become more prevalent. 

He added: “I still think you have to treat covid with a level of respect…I think you have to be concerned about covid. I would feel more confident if we had more testing available so people can take responsible action.”

Dr Sargeant expects covid cases to continue to rise over the next couple of months before dropping: “What to expect, based on the experience of countries elsewhere, is that it is likely to be a quick and sharp run through.

“The virus will take a few weeks, it will run through those who are susceptible will be affected and then it will swiftly fall off.”

To make up for uncertainty about testing provision from the government, Torbay Council recently announced that it would continue to provide free lateral flow tests to people going into care homes, visiting elderly relatives and volunteers helping vulnerable people until early summer when it’s hoped infections will be lower. 

Commenting on the policy, expected to cost the council around £50,000, leader of Torbay Council Steve Darling (Lib Dems, Barton with Watcombe) said: “We’re keen to support those who are most vulnerable in our communities across Torbay and we’re planning to do that by continuing free lateral flow tests for the most vulnerable groups.”