Figures reveal that Cheshire East is among the worst performing areas in England for Covid-19 related deaths in care homes, recording the 9th highest number out of 316 local authorities.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recorded that there had been 47 Covid-19 related deaths in the borough's care homes up until the week ending Friday 17th April.

These ONS figures published on Tuesday (28th April) measure deaths where Covid-19 is registered on the deceased's death certificate, so they differ from other sources, such as the recently established Care Quality Commission (CQC) reporting regime.

By comparison, the neighbouring council area of Cheshire West and Chester recorded less than half that amount with 22 deaths.

Elsewhere in Cheshire, Warrington Borough Council is not far behind in numbers, with 40 deaths recorded in their care homes attributed to confirmed or suspected Covid-19.

In the North West of England, Cheshire East is surpassed in numbers only by Liverpool and Salford, who have respectively recorded 67 and 62 Covid-19 related deaths in their care homes during this period.

Overall in Cheshire East, the ONS figures show there had been a total of 173 deaths with Covid-19 recorded on the death certificate in this period; 117 of which took place in hospital.

The 47 care home deaths make up 27.2% of the total or one in four.

Macclesfield Nub News has contacted a number of care homes in the local area to get glimpse of how they are coping and those that responded sadly reported deaths at their facilities.

Care UK, which operates Hollins Park care home on Victoria Road in Macclesfield, told Nub News yesterday (29th April) that three residents and one member of staff have died as a result of Covid-19.

Maggie Bustard, the regional director for Care UK, said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with their families and friends at this very sad time.

"I am very grateful to the team members at Hollins Park who remain compassionate and professional throughout these challenging times and who are ensuring everyone is well cared for and kept as safe as possible."

She added: "The team have all the necessary personal protective equipment and are using this in line with Public Health England and NHS guidance."

A spokesperson for the Prestbury Beaumont Care Home, based on Collar House Drive, Prestbury, said: "We can confirm that we have had individuals confirmed with COVID-19, and tragically some of those have sadly passed away.

"Each of those deaths is a tragedy for all of us, and we send our heartfelt condolences to our residents, their families and our staff that have suffered. The home is in regular contact with Public Health England and the local authority.

"The safety and wellbeing of our residents and our staff is our utmost priority and we are closely following the official advice. We respect the privacy of our residents and staff in all matters and can therefore make no further comment at this stage."

The spokesperson did not confirm the exact number of deaths that have occurred at the Prestbury based care home.

Colin Inglis, the regional director for Porthaven, which operates Prestbury House Care Home on West Park Drive, Macclesfield, spoke to Nub News last Wednesday (22rd April) about their situation.

At that time, the home had one death that is suspected to have been caused by Covid-19 and were treating others with symptoms.

Mr Inglis said: "What we've found is that the people who have been discharged from hospital, even though we're following all the guidance, they are probably discharging some frailer people into the homes".

He described Cheshire East Council as being "quite helpful" in their delivery of PPE, in particular, for face masks.

Mr Inglis added: "In terms of PPE, we're pretty well equipped. We stocked up prior to the Brexit situation, so we did have a surplus across the homes in our group."

Following their most recent CQC reports, Hollins Park had a rating of 'outstanding' and the Prestbury Beaumont and Prestbury House were both rated as 'good'.

Cllr Laura Jeuda, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: "We are saddened to see the number of Covid-19 related deaths in hospitals, care homes and hospices, not just in Cheshire East but across the whole country.

"As a council, we continue to do everything within our power to ensure that care home staff and front-line care staff are receiving all the support and resources they need in order to carry out their extremely challenging work at this time and to protect the people in their care.

"Cheshire East has a high proportion of older people in vulnerable groups, with a high proportion of older people living in care home and nursing home settings. There is a particular challenge for care providers to minimise the risk of exposure to the Coronavirus, which has sadly claimed so many lives in the UK.

"We are the 15th largest unitary authority in the country and the third largest in the North West with a population of more than 380,800, 23 per cent of whom are 65 and over.

"Councils, public health experts and government are working hard to achieve a clear understanding of how this virus spreads and, until all the facts are known, it would not be right to draw any particular conclusions from the current statistics relating to deaths in care homes and other care settings. To draw comparisons with other local authorities is unhelpful and can lead to misinformation and a distorted picture of the local impact of this pandemic.

"To repeat the government message, people over 70 and anyone showing symptoms, and anyone living in a household where someone is showing symptoms, should stay at home and we should all respect the social distancing guidelines and keep any activity and travel outside the home to the absolute minimum and protect our NHS and frontline care workers."