Range of measures to protect vulnerable residents of Burnley and Padiham care homes from coronavirus

All but one care home in the borough is now privately operated and as such are implementing a range of different measures to protect potentially vulnerable residents from the virus.

The one Lancashire County Council owned home, Woodside Home for Older People in Burnley Road, Padiham, is operating as normal, but has asked visitors and staff to take Public Health England advice.

A spokesman for the county council said: "We are monitoring the situation at Woodside and our other homes across the county but it is business as normal for the time being.

"Obviously, we would ask anyone with symptoms not to visit the home and to self-isolate."

Other care homes in the borough have gone one step further and asked "non-essential" visitors not to call.

Privately-run Dove Court Care Home in Shuttleworth Street is one such example.

Owners HC-one put out a statement on their website which read: "The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and colleagues are always our top priorities. We have therefore taken comprehensive action to prepare for, and respond to, the growing coronavirus outbreak in the UK.

"As such, we have made the decision to limit non-essential visitors to our care homes until further notice.

"We have not taken this decision lightly, but we know our visitors, including relatives and loved ones, would want us to do everything possible to keep the residents in our care safe and well.

"Non-essential visits include routine visits from relatives and loved ones, visits from individuals such as hairdressers and entertainers, and from professionals and contractors carrying out non-essential services.

"If you can delay your visit or achieve its purpose via another method (i.e. through a phone call or video call) please do so.

"Requests for essential visits where exceptional circumstances arise will be considered. These can be arranged by contacting the home manager."

McAuley Mount Care Home in Padiham Road, Burnley, said it was taking extra precautions but was still allowing visitors for the time being.

Home manager Denise Pickering said: "We have postponed some social gatherings and are monitoring the situation on a day to day basis. We are taking extra hygiene precautions and any staff or relatives who have symptoms have been asked to stay at home."