An investigation will explore figures indicating Bath and North East Somerset had the highest share of Covid-19 deaths in care homes in the whole of England last year.
Official statistics crunched by the Local Government Association reveal that there were more deaths in care homes linked to the infection (107) than in hospitals (104).
The rate for every 1,000 care home beds was more than double the national average, and twice that of neighbouring North Somerset.
But councillor Alison Born, Bath North East Somerset Council’s cabinet member for adults, said there was a risk of taking one piece of information out of context.
Figures showing the rate of Covid deaths in care homes in England in 2021 | Image © LGA
“The deaths from covid in Bath and North East Somerset are below average,” she said.
“Of the people who have died from covid we are an outlier in terms of the proportion who died in care homes rather than hospital. That’s something we’re investigating.
“Public health is looking into it to check we’re comparing like with like. They’re working with Bristol University so we understand the context more fully, then we will be able to report what the actual situation is.
“Taking one piece of data out of context doesn’t necessarily give the true picture.”
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
