Sheffield care provider with no coronavirus deaths reveals secret of its success

The provider, which spoke to the Star on condition of anonymity, says unlike many care homes in the city, they have managed to keep the killer disease out of their homes.

Home bosses said this was due to a decision to ‘lock down’ their homes early, temperature testing everyone who visited and strictly adhering to Government guidelines on handwashing.

“We made the decision to close our doors as early as March 17 which we believe has made a big difference,” they said.

“We’ve also been taking the temperature of all staff and anyone else entering either of our homes ourselves.

“This measure has again helped keep the virus at bay. We also been very methodical in handwashing and followed all official guidance.”

Home managers did say that they were struggling to obtain enough personal protective equipment, however, and that the system for testing residents and staff was not good enough.

“The lack of PPE has been a massive problem for us,” they said.

“We’re constantly having to spend time trying to order PPE from alternative suppliers as the council and NHS don’t give us enough.

“Staff have been understandably frightened to come in and we’ve been unable to provide the confidence that no one is infected as we can’t properly test.”

“We’ve been asking for testing kits for the past four weeks. We’re having to send staff home that have symptoms to self-isolate but we’re unable to say whether they’ve got the virus or not.”

The manager did acknowledge, however, that the council had done a great deal to help the care sector cope with covid-19, but added that it had ultimately been their staff who had kept residents safe.

They said: “It’s easy to point the finger of blame but the situation is unprecedented. The council are doing a lot but they’re not doing enough.

“Another big problem is the lack of appreciation for our amazing staff. They’re having to sleep in the building, give up their holidays – they have been truly amazing.”