22 die after Covid-19 outbreak at care home in Basingstoke

Residents all passed away in the last three weeks

Author: Jonathan RichardsPublished 28th Jan 2021
Last updated 29th Jan 2021

Twenty-two residents at a privately run care home in Basingstoke have died after testing positive for Covid-19 at the start of January.

Pemberley House is a 72-bed care home in Grove Road, it first reported an outbreak on 5 January when it said sixty per cent of residents had the virus.

In a statement - Avery Healthcare who run the home - said:

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of 22 residents who sadly passed away within 28 days of a positive COVID test at our care home in Basingstoke.

"Our thoughts are with all the family and friends who have lost loved ones during this very difficult time. Staff have, and continue to work tirelessly throughout the pandemic to protect residents and each other.

"As a company we are supporting the vaccine roll out, and our focus remains on supporting the wellbeing of residents, families, and staff as we work through this together."

Residents had reportedly been receiving the covid vaccination at the time of the outbreak.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) spokesperson said:

“We are saddened to hear about any deaths which have occurred since receiving COVID-19 vaccination. However, our surveillance does not suggest that the COVID-19 vaccines have contributed to any deaths.

“More than 6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered across the UK, most of which have been given to those most vulnerable. We expect the vaccines to have already prevented many deaths from COVID-related disease”.

“Those at the highest risk of COVID 19 complications, whether due to their elderly age and/or underlying chronic illnesses, are currently prioritised for vaccination. It is not unexpected that some of these people may naturally fall ill due to their age or underlying conditions shortly after being vaccinated, without the vaccine playing any role in that. We have robust surveillance systems in place to rapidly review all reports of suspected side effects to determine whether these are possible new risks, or coincidental medical events”.

“We take every report to us seriously, and will keep the safety of all vaccines under close review. We advise anyone due to receive their vaccine to continue to do so and to speak to your healthcare professional if you have any questions.

“Vaccine safety is of paramount importance and we continually monitor the safety of vaccines to ensure that the benefits outweigh any potential risks. The MHRA encourages anyone to report any suspicion or concern they have beyond the known, mild side effects.”

Hampshire County Council said the local authority didn't comment on deaths within private care homes and offered "condolences" to those families affected.

A spokeswoman said:

"It is important to make clear that protection from the vaccine takes time to build and it is imperative, therefore, that anyone who has had the jab continues to closely follow the 'hands face space' guidance, as well as any guidance for their occupational role, to protect themselves and others."

This isn't the first time there has been multiple deaths at a care home in the region last month nine residents died from Covid at Willows Edge care home in Newbury.

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