Majority of Fir Vale Covid-19 deaths associated with care homes, say NHS officials

The neighbourhood has had the most Covid-19 deaths in the country - nearly twice as many as any other part of England and Wales, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

Louise Brewins, head of public health intelligence at Sheffield Council, told a scrutiny meeting that specifically regarding the deaths in Crabtree and Fir Vale, there have been 66 deaths where Covid-19 was identified on the death certificate over March to May.

She said: "More than two thirds of those deaths have been associated with the care homes in that area rather than in the wider community."

She added that there needed to be more in-depth analysis of the data.

"Of the people who have died, over 95 per cent had one or more long term conditions as well as being elderly.

"Sadly in areas that are poor there's a higher level of long term conditions and this is why we are seeing a pattern closely associated with deprivation."

The meeting heard there are six care homes in the Fir Vale area and the north east of the city also has the highest number of shielding people.

Sara Storey, interim director of adult health and social care, said there have been more deaths in Sheffield’s care homes than there have been in its hospitals.

"It has been a challenging time for staff, who have worked with huge effort, skill and compassion.

"Social care and health responded swiftly and co-operatively, making rapid changes. At the same time this has been personally difficult, both emotionally and physically.

"So many people that the sector has worked with and cared for have lost their lives to Covid-19, including a member of staff at a nursing home.

"There had been 249 deaths in care homes in Sheffield during the period January 1 to May 22 and 236 deaths in hospital.

"Fifty per cent of Covid-19 deaths occurred in a care home in Sheffield. Nationally the percentage ranged from zero to 62 per cent."

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