DEATHS linked to coronavirus in care homes have tripled inside a fortnight in Wyre Forest as new figures show the district’s tragic Covid-19 toll continues to rise each week.

Figures updated on a weekly basis every Tuesday by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show there were 20 coronavirus-related deaths in Wyre Forest for the week ending May 1.

That is the largest weekly death toll from the pandemic in the district yet, an increase on the 17 people who died the previous week and 15 the week before.

Altogether, there have been 84 Covid-related deaths in Wyre Forest since the pandemic’s outbreak – that is the second highest death toll in Worcestershire with only Bromsgrove (92) suffering more.

The figures also show Wyre Forest deaths are rising at a faster rate in care homes.

In the fortnight between April 17 and May 1, there were 19 deaths with coronavirus in Wyre Forest care homes, compared to 14 in hospitals.

Before that point, there had been nine Covid deaths in the district’s care homes – meaning its death toll tripled inside a fortnight – compared with 36 in hospitals.

Holmwood Care Centre, in Chaddesley Road, was asked by The Shuttle about the situation and it said care homes were being "hindered" by a lack of testing.

A spokeswoman said: “Holmwood Care Centre like all care homes is facing up to the challenge during these unprecedented times.

“Lack of testing for the Covid 19 virus being available has without doubt hindered our ability to identify some of the most vulnerable of residents.

“However, we hold the attitude that every resident within the home is at risk and have taken measures led by home manager Denise Baker to stringently follow all processes and guidelines from the World Health Organisation and Public Health England.

“Our focus continues to be to our residents, their families and staff during these most of difficult times.”

While Covid-19 hospital admissions have fallen, figures seen by The Shuttle showed there were still 59 patients being treated for the disease across Worcestershire’s hospitals as of Monday (May 11).

That figure included five people in intensive care.

The figures also show that more than a quarter – 52 out of 186 – of care or nursing homes in Worcestershire have confirmed coronavirus cases.

Altogether, there have been 254 confirmed care home cases of Covid-19 in the county and 150 deaths.