Visiting has been barred by most care homes since mid-March, keeping thousands apart from elderly relatives for nearly four months, in which time at least 20,000 residents have died from Covid-19. "How we can have more visits of loved ones in a way that is very careful and in a way that keeps care homes safe." He refused to apologise for Boris Johnson's claim that care homes were at fault for not following procedures, but said social care workers had gone to "extraordinary lengths" to keep people safe. The Health Secretary said a second wave is not inevitable, as long as people stick to social distancing rules. While Mr Hancock's update on care homes comes as leading charities join forces to call on the Government to allow relatives of dementia patients to be treated as key workers, it has been claimed.

Source: Daily Mirror July 10, 2020 05:43 UTC