Care Home Virus Deaths Show First Dip in England and Wales

(Bloomberg) --

Mortalities in care homes linked to Covid-19 declined for the first time since the epidemic began as the U.K. moves past the peak of the virus.

The facilities have been a crucial battleground against the virus in Europe and America, with many countries struggling to keep their most vulnerable citizens safe. About 2,420 people deaths in the homes involving the virus in the week ending May 1 compared with 2,794 a week earlier, data Tuesday from the Office for National Statistics show.

Fatalities linked to coronavirus in England and Wales fell for their second straight week, a further sign the country’s lockdown measures are proving effective. The government is easing some of the restrictions that have been in place since March 23 as the rate of infection falls.

• In the six weeks through May 1, there were 46,494 more deaths than the five-year average, according to the Office for National Statistics
• A total of 6,409 people died in the homes in the week ending May 1, a fall of 19% from a week earlier
• Deaths involving the virus totaled 6,035, a decline of 2,202 from the previous week.
• The percentage of deaths in care homes linked to the virus increased to 37.8% from 35.3%.
• All regions showed a decrease in the percentage of deaths from Covid-19 for the first time

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