Distressing rise in Surrey care home infections shows lockdown decisions have consequences - especially for most vulnerable

An estimated 1,647 care home residents - 17% of Surrey's care home population - have tested positive for COVID-19 since the Government lifted the last national lockdown on 2 December 2020.

This distressing information came in response to a public question - to Surrey County Council's Adults and Health Select Committee - from Cllr Paul Kennedy, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner, and Mole Valley District Councillor for Fetcham West.

Commenting, Cllr Paul Kennedy said:

"Behind these distressing figures are thousands of family members, friends and care home workers, who have faced the worry, the agony and too often the sorrow of this terrible pandemic.

"This is a salutary reminder for those of us in public life that decisions have consequences. It is worrying that 9 months into the pandemic we were still unable to keep our most vulnerable residents safe."

Paul added:

"I asked this question because I was worried about recent published statistics suggesting that - despite vaccinating our older residents - the infection rate for over-60s in Mole Valley and much of Surrey was higher than for under-60s. This contrasts with the position in the autumn, and in the rest of England, when the infection rate for the over-60s had been much lower.

"Let us hope we can learn the lessons of this pandemic and better protect our most vulnerable residents in future."