MORE than 100 care home residents have lost their lives to Covid in the past ten days, new figures have revealed.

Across the county, 112 people have died from the virus in care homes, with ten of those coming from Southend in the period from January 23 to 29.

The number is the second highest in the country for care home deaths in those six days.

Bosses have admitted that once the virus is in care homes it is “impossible to isolate residents”

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This comes as seven care homes in Southend are battling Covid outbreaks, with 12 more reporting cases, according to reports.

John Spence, County Hall’s councillor in charge of health and adult social care, said: “It is a sad fact that the new variant has proved particularly infectious. 

“Levels of infections in the community reached heights not previously seen during the Covid-19 crisis and it was bound to be the case that members of staff and others entering care homes would bring the infection with them. 

“One death due to Covid-19 is one too many.

However, it is important to recognise that Essex is the second largest authority in the country and has an older population than average, which needs to be taken into consideration when comparing figures.”

Trevor Harp, Southend’s councillor in charge of health and social care, insisting care homes are working to effectively bring outbreaks under control. 

He said: “They have worked closely with the council’s public health team to bring the outbreak under control and using measures to reduce the risk of further transmission and the current situation is improving. 

“I realise that it has been difficult for families, where visits have been limited or stopped completely due to the virus and I’d like to thank them for their understanding and co-operation with the necessary measures in what must be very difficult times for them. 

“We must work together to minimise the spread of the infection and keep our most vulnerable residents safe.”