ONE of the district's leading care homes has revealed that some of its residents have died as a result of coronavirus. 

Charlotte Straker House at Corbridge has also reported that many of its staff have tested positive for Covid-19.

However, the home said it was continuing to provide care and doing its utmost to protect residents and staff who remained at the home. 

In a statement published on social media, chair of trustees Berenice Groves praised staff who were working long hours, and revealed some were staying in accommodation provided by the Angel Inn at Corbridge, to protect their own families and remain close to Charlotte Straker House in case of emergencies. 

The statement read: "It has been an extremely difficult beginning to 2021 at Charlotte Straker House. We are still very busy dealing with Covid infections and we are devastated to report that we have had some resident deaths due to this dreadful virus.

"As you can imagine it is an extremely difficult time for residents’ families and our own care team. We are carefully managing any current Covid infections through our Covid Isolation Unit.

"Many of our staff members are also Covid positive, and those remaining at work have had to shoulder the burden and have been working extremely long hours.

"The numbers of staff infected with Covid has meant that our receptionist, administrators, handyman, trustees and volunteers have stepped in to manage ancillary tasks such as laundry and food preparation."

The devastation news comes despite tireless work by the organisation to keep Covid at bay. It quickly established an isolation unit, and an appeal to retrospectively fund the four-room facility reached its first target of £70,000, last December, thanks to a host of personal donations, exercise challenges, grants and wide community support.

Mrs Groves praised staff who were going the extra mile in the circumstances, and said those affected by the virus had been told to focus on their own personal welfare. 

She added: We are hugely grateful for the resilience and flexibility of our whole team and we want those who are too unwell to work to solely concentrate on their own recovery and to only return to work when they are fully restored to health.

"The management and trustees are doing their very best to lift spirits and protect, as far as possible, the team’s mental and physical health.

"We are also very proud that care of residents remains exemplary and we are doing our absolute utmost to protect them from this shocking virus.

"Some of our staff, including Pam, our registered manager, have been staying in accommodation provided by The Angel of Corbridge, to ensure they don’t infect their own families and to remain close in case of emergencies. Thank you so much to the team at the Angel for allowing us to stay.

"Again, the support of local businesses and the community is keeping us afloat. Thank you so much to those who have donated money, gifts, food and supplies – from the bottom of our heart, it is very much appreciated."