Coronavirus death toll at South Yorkshire care homes passes 300
More than 300 people have now died at care homes across South Yorkshire, it has been confirmed, with the true death toll likely to be significantly higher.
At least 170 people are known to have died with COVID-19 at care homes in Sheffield, and there have been 17 coronavirus deaths at care homes in Doncaster, 71 in Rotherham and 43 in Barnsley.
That’s according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics covering deaths involving coronavirus which happened up to May 1 and had been registered by May 9.
The death toll for care homes in Sheffield rose by 44 from 126 the previous week, though only 37 of those deaths happened during the week ending May 1, with the others having occurred earlier but taking longer to record.
It is not known how many people have died in care homes since May 1, or how many deaths before that date have yet to be recorded.
Doncaster Council has said 60 care home residents are known to have died due to COVID-19 between March 18 and May 7, which suggests the ONS figures may significantly under-represent the true death toll.
The ONS also reported three COVID-19 deaths at other communal establishments in Sheffield and eight at people’s homes.
More than 600 people with coronavirus have now died at hospitals across South Yorkshire, as of 5pm on Tuesday, May 12, according to the latest figures from NHS England.
There have been 236 confirmed hospital deaths in Sheffield, 134 in Doncaster, 132 in Rotherham and 107 in Barnsley.