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, B&NES Council’s cabinet member for adults, said there was a risk of taking one piece of information out of context. 

“The deaths from Covid in B&NES are below average,” she said. “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.”

Stephen Sumner, LDRS