Coronavirus update: New care home data for Bucks reveals true extent of impact

The care home data, released today by the Office of National Statistics, is for the period 10 April - 24 April.

The new figure means we now know that at least 126 people have died from coronavirus in Buckinghamshire (not including Milton Keynes) and that recorded deaths in care homes make up 37.3% of all deaths from coronavirus in the county.

Across the UK, 586 new deaths from coronavirus in hospitals have been reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 21,678 in under eight weeks.

The care home data also shows that 4,343 people have died in care homes in England between 10 April – 24 April.

161,145 people have now tested positive for the disease in the whole of the United Kingdom but only around 1% of the population has currently been tested and so the true number of people who have contracted coronavirus is expected to be significantly higher.

Globally, 3,097,957 people are now known to have been infected with coronavirus and 213,581 have sadly died.

The latest Government lockdown restrictions to help stop the spread of coronavirus mean that you should only leave your home for one of the four following reasons:

- Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible

- One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household

- Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

- Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home

You should also ensure that you are always at least two metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

Other precautions recommended by the NHS are:

- Wash your hands with soap and water often – for at least 20 seconds

- Wash your hands as soon as you get home

- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

- Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands

- Not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean