Wisbech care home resident confirmed as having Covid-19 after hospital treatment

A Wisbech care home is undergoing deep cleaning after a resident was diagnosed as having Covid-19 according to a letter sent out to families this week.

Megan Jones, general manager, of Rose Lodge in Walton Road, explained the home was working with Public Health England to understand where the resident contracted the coronavirus.

She said: "We are writing to inform you that whilst receiving care in hospital, an individual from Rose Lodge care home has been confirmed with having coronavirus COVID-19.

“We are working with Public Health England to understand more fully where COVID-19 was contracted, but as a precautionary measure, and following advice from Public Health England, we are deep cleaning the home and will be closely monitoring the residents and staff for symptoms.

“We understand that this is a worrying time for you, and I want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to ensure that Rose Lodge is safe for both our residents and staff.

“Please can you help and support us, as we ask that we have no visitors, except in exceptional circumstances, we may permit a controlled visit provided that it has been pre-arranged with myself or my team, and we can ensure the risks are fully mitigated.”

Staff are complying with guidelines and anyone showing symptoms of the virus are self-isolating.

In a separate letter on the home's website, Barchester Healthcare, which runs Rose Lodge as well as Hickathrift House in Marshland St James, explained: "As advised by the Government and as we move to the next phase of our plans to support our residents, patients and staff during this period of uncertainty with coronavirus COVID-19, we are asking for your help and support as we are asking that we have no visitors, except healthcare professionals.

"This is to ensure that we keep you and your loved ones as safe as possible as we know that this virus is very contagious. Where there are exceptional circumstances, we may permit a controlled visit, provided that it has been pre-arranged with the general manager/hospital director and we can ensure that the risks are fully mitigated.

"We will still ensure that vital medical visits are made ensuring that they wash their hands on entering and we will be asking all visitors to ensure they have no symptoms and will be taking their temperature.

"All of our homes and hospitals have now been set up for Skype calling to enable you to keep in touch and we are confident that our staff will do all they can to ensure that life in our services remains as comfortable and sociable as possible as we support them with delivering interactive activities.

"We understand that this is a worrying time for you, and we want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to ensure that our residents, patients and staff are as safe as possible, and we are staying close to the advice from public health authorities.

"If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on our helpline on coronahelpline@Barchester.com and please call the home or hospital if you would like to speak to a loved one.

"Thank you in advance for your patience and co-operation."