Yahoo Finance Police investigate after COVID outbreak at care home left five dead
Police have launched an investigation into a coronavirus outbreak at a care home that has left five people dead.
The virus has spread among staff and residents at Holmesley Care Home in Sidford, east Devon.
Five residents, who all tested positive for COVID-19, have died since 6 March.
One member of staff and 10 more residents with the virus are being treated at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
Now Devon and Cornwall Police have launched an investigation amid concerns about the outbreak.
Officers are speaking to staff and conducting a search of the home as part of their inquiries.
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Meanwhile, postmortems have been conducted on three of the deceased residents.
The investigation is currently being led by the police force in partnership with a multi-agency safeguarding response.
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North East and West Devon commander chief superintendent Dan Evans said: “I’ve no doubt there will be concern in the community regarding this incident and we are doing everything possible to help those bereaved families, while also working with partners to communicate to those with relatives remaining within the home.
“This is a complex investigation involving ourselves and multi-agency partners with safeguarding of residents at its core.
“There is significant work underway to understand the current situation and progress the investigation as quickly as possible, while maintaining the safety of care home residents, staff, police officers and partner agency staff.”
Yahoo has contacted Holmesley care home for comment.
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