Care home deaths related to Covid-19 in England and Wales registered in the week ending 24 April rose by 36% on the previous seven days, according to official data.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there were 2,794 care home deaths linked to virus in the latest seven-day period, up from 2,050 the week before.
There were a total of 5,890 coronavirus-related care home deaths registered up to April 24 in England and Wales, the ONS added.
Representative body Independent Care Group said it was “saddened but not surprised” by the death figures.
“Every person lost to Covid-19 is felt deeply by those caring for them. Behind every statistic is a human loss, the tragic passing of a much-loved mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or friend,” said ICG chairman Mike Padgham (pictured).
“We must never forget that. And for that reason we have to keep redoubling our efforts to tackle coronavirus together,” he added.
Padgham called on the UK government to do more to get on top of the pandemic in care homes.
“We need to see more urgency in testing, we need to see better and quicker access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and we need to see some financial support getting to the front line care providers who are struggling to survive,” he said..
“We need the government to get its act together. But in our county, North Yorkshire County Council and the ICG are not waiting for that support and are working together to develop our own support for care providers on the front line," he added.
The ICG has previously warned that care providers are being hampered in their fight against Covid-19 through a lack of PPE and insufficient testing.
It has also called on the government to provide better financial support for care providers amidst concerns that the £3.2bn pledged for local authorities to help them support social care is not getting to the front line.
