Officials confirm 15 care home residents have died in Luton after testing positive for Covid-19

Fifteen residents at a care home have died, five of whom had tested positive for Covid-19, Public Health England said.

The deaths at the 69-bed Castletroy Residential Home (pictured) in Luton were described as “heartbreaking” by the leader of Luton Council.

Sultan Salimee, consultant in health protection at PHE East, said experts were working closely with the home providing advice to stop the virus spreading.

PHE said it did not recommend testing new cases in care homes when some patients had already tested positive “as it will not change the public health management”.

A PHE spokeswoman was not immediately able to clarify when the deaths had occurred.

In a statement, council leader Hazel Simmons said: “To lose so many residents in one care home is heartbreaking and our love, thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those who have died, as well as the staff at the home.

“The council are supporting the staff at the home and will be offering support to the relatives of all those affected during this very difficult period.

“This tragedy serves as another reminder of how important it is that we all follow the Government guidance and stay at home to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.”

It comes after seven residents of an east London care home died with coronavirus, the BBC reported.

Another 21 residents are displaying Covid-19 symptoms at the Hawthorn Green home in Stepney, which houses 48 people, according to the BBC.

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