3. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:04 pm on 29 April 2020.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 3:04, 29 April 2020

Thank you for your statement. However, you'll be aware that I've raised concerns since the middle of March regarding the number of deaths in our care homes here in Wales, and in particular in my own constituency of Aberconwy. I do recall the first death was recorded here in Aberconwy on 13 March.

Now, of the 302 deaths in Welsh care homes, 109 are registered as having passed away, sadly, to COVID-19. We know of the situation of the care home in Newport that lost 15 residents in just one month, whilst 14 had symptomatic coughs and high temperatures, only two were recorded on the death certificates as having COVID-19.

I welcome your statement and the mention that at some stage you would like to see all care home residents—testing made available to everyone, but could you state by when you expect testing to be made available to all asymptomatic care home residents? Whilst I've been live on here today, I've had a number of e-mails from worried relatives, worried care workers, because I'm afraid just testing people who are coming from hospital—which is a great plus, I must say; I've raised concerns on this—the testing of more residents and care homes is a must. It's a given, and if you speak to anyone in the social care sector, the surroundings of a care home are considerably different to a hospital setting, so it's quite a vulnerable set. Also, I would want to know—from a request by a care home, now—currently for COVID-19 tests to be undertaken, how long will it take for that test to be taken and for the results to be delivered back?

Some care homes have lost as many as 60 per cent of their residents for one reason or another and have bed occupancy as low as 20 per cent. The figures needed to be viable and sustainable—they must have 90 per cent occupancy. Some are resorting to—