FOUR residents have sadly died in care homes in Penketh after testing positive for Covid-19.

Warrington Community Living confirmed that three people in both Heathside and Heathside Mews on Honiton Way, contracted the virus.

Four of these people across the two homes died in the past seven days.

Heathside and Heathside Mews share the same site and care home manager but are separate homes, with different features and atmospheres to suit different styles of living.

A spokesperson for Warrington Community Living, said: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm that we have had four residents across the two homes who passed away over the past seven days.

"We have been able to support them with love, care and reassurance during this time. Our thoughts and condolences remain with their families and we are providing them with our ongoing support during this difficult time.

"Within both homes the focus of the team continues to be the ongoing care, support and safety of all our residents and our colleagues.

"We are closely monitoring the health of all other residents and colleagues.

"We have implemented strict infection control protocols and we are continuing to follow guidance, including, the use of personal protective equipment, and social distancing between residents.

"As with all our residential services the home remains closed to visitors and non-essential staff but we are keeping the families up to date with the health of their loved ones and supporting them to keep in touch with each other via video calls and other methods.

"We are in regular contact with Warrington Borough Council’s quality and monitoring team as well as with our regulators the Care Quality Commission and continue to keep them informed and up to date with what is happening and our response.

"Across all of our services we have a very caring and dedicated team of colleagues who are selflessly putting the people we support first and ensuring they continue to deliver the care they need in very difficult circumstance and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them again for that.

"We have a successful ongoing recruitment campaign so we can maximise the number of essential colleagues we have available to support, and help us cover for colleagues who are having to isolate and we thank the community for responding to this."