Coronavirus: Thursday’s Local Updates

83 people have sadly died in care homes across Leicestershire in the past three weeks after testing positive for Coronavirus.

The data released by the Care Quality Commission covers the period between April 10th and May 1st and only relates to deaths that occurred in care homes, not residents who may have died after being moved to hospital.

Latest figures for the Harborough District show there were five deaths in care homes up to April the 24^th.

Director of public health at Leicestershire County Council, Mike Sandys, said: “Every number is a person, a loved one and while public health isn’t frontline in terms of coming into contact with these people, the data is still difficult to read.

“You can’t help but think of people you have lost, funerals you have been to and think that these numbers relate to someone losing a relative, friend or someone close to them.”

Mr Sandys said that the county council continues to focus on helping care homes prevent outbreaks and assisting those that have confirmed cases in trying to control the spread.

GP practices across Harborough will be open as usual tomorrow on what would normally be a non-working day because of the Bank Holiday.

The decision’s been taken in a bid to relieve pressure on hospitals and other out-of-hours services.

People in need of medical advice are being reminded to not just turn up at their surgery, but to  phone them first before an agreed appointment time is given, if its deemed necessary.

Many pharmacies will also be open as normal.

Over 100 people were tested for Coronavirus in Market Harborough during the first day of a temporary drive-through facility in the car park of Harborough Leisure Centre.

The appointment-only service is being run by the Army and is continuing to operate at the site off Northampton Road today and tomorrow.

Any essential worker or members of their family who are displaying symptoms of Covid-19 can apply for a test on-line, plus anyone over 65 who has symptoms.

More details HERE

A new help-line has been launched for people in need of urgent mental health support across Leicestershire.

It’s hoped the service will relieve pressure on the NHS 111 number and other local health services during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust says all calls are triaged by clinicians who will decide on the next course of action.

The number is 0116 295 3060.

It was to have been the last truck convoy through Market Harborough last week, but after what organisers describe as overwhelming support on social media, it will return tonight to salute NHS and keyworkers.

Around 60 vehicles are set to take part to coincide with the Clap For Our Carers campaign at 8pm.

They’ll take a slightly different route to previous weeks, to include Great Bowden Road, Ridgeway West, Burnmill Road and Alvington Way.

Despite some criticism of the covoy, David Bown, from Foxton, who owns K2 Recovery, and has helped organise this week’s event, told Hfm it has received lots of support:

Organisers have also set-up a Just Giving page to raise money for the town’s Jubilee Foodbank – support it HERE

The full route is: Start Innovation Centre on Leicester Road, then down past St Luke’s in to town then right on to Coventry road, left on to Farndon road, left on to Welland park road, then on to Springfield street then on to Great Bowden Road, on to Ridgeway West to Burnmill Road then up to Alvington Way, Back down Leicester Road, Coventry Road, Lubenham, where Half will turn Right down Foxton Road and the other half will continue to Marston Trussell.

Companies taking part include JCS, Jones Cleaning Services, Luke Pepper, CJ Sweepers, CJH Aggregate, TNR Haulage, Harborough Hire, K2 Recovery, Diamond Mowers, Carole’s Driver Training, Nathan Perry Carpentry, Martron Engineering, Crouch Recovery, MJB Support Services Ltd and The Sign Post,