Blackpool care home staff tested positive for Covid 19

The council’s Outbreak Management Hub was called in to assist after the cases came to light at the Belsfield Care Home on Carlin Gate in North Shore as part of regular weekly testing of employees.

Health chiefs said the number of people who tested positive was less than five and no residents were infected.

Dr Arif Rajpura, Blackpool Council’s director of public health, said: “Employee testing in care homes is undertaken on a weekly basis as per guidelines set out by the Department of Health and Social Care.

“Following recent testing at the care home in question, a small number of staff tested positive for Covid 19. Currently, no residents in the care home are testing positive.

“The employees who tested positive were well and asymptomatic at the time of testing. They have followed the latest government guidance on isolation and are now returning to work as the isolation periods ends.

“With the support of Public Health England, Blackpool Council’s Outbreak Management Hub is continuing to provide assistance.

“The hub is designed to offer guidance for complex settings such as care homes, as well as dealing with any localised outbreaks across the town.”