A number of residents at a Penrith care home have died following an outbreak of coronavirus.
There has been 36 positive COVID-19 cases at Croft Avenue Care Home, in Wordsworth Street.
In total, 18 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 along with 18 employees, who are self-isolating.
Due to privacy reasons, the exact number of residents who have passed away is not being made public, but it is understood the number is below five.
Care home operators HC-One said it was doing what it could to support bereaved families during this difficult time.
The majority of residents are currently doing well and a number will be considered recovered in the next few days.
A spokesman for the home said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with all families who have lost a loved one from coronavirus and we are doing our utmost to support them during this difficult time.
“Our residents are our absolute priority and we are taking all steps to minimise the spread of the virus including caring for residents in their rooms, continuing to restrict staff movement and focusing on high standards of infection control.
“We are doing everything we can to support our residents to return to good health.
“The home is closed to non-essential visitors and admissions and we continue to work closely with our local health partners to respond to the outbreak.
“We have the staff, PPE and equipment needed to protect residents and colleagues and we are grateful for the ongoing support and understanding from our families.”
Elsewhere in Eden, Janet McKenna, director of the Franklyn Group Ltd, has reported this week that Kirkby Stephen’s Stobars Hall residential home had finally succumbed to an outbreak of COVID-19 after keeping clear of the virus since March.
She said: “The care team continues to work tirelessly for the residents of the home around their own isolation periods — their efforts have been heroic.
“It is a terrible shame that the vaccine wasn’t available sooner to our residents and everyone in the Eden Valley who is currently suffering at the hands of this devastating second wave.
“The home has been well supported by the local community throughout the pandemic so far, the Stobars team have given back over the Christmas period through their Kindness at Christmas campaign.
“We hope that this support will continue during this difficult time.”
