SEVERAL residents in Callands Care Home have tested positive for Covid-19.

It is understood that at least two residents are being treated in the home while two others have been taken to Warrington Hospital.

The care home restricted all non-essential visitors on March 12 in line with government guidance and last week stopped all visits unless there is an exceptional circumstance.

A family member of one woman in her 80s who tested positive, said that she is being treated in the care home with paracetamol, fluids and rest.

If there are complications, the team will escalate things - the family was told.

A spokesperson for HC One, which runs Callands Care Home, said: “Caring for our residents and supporting our colleagues is at the heart of what we do, and we are doing everything we can to make sure our residents and colleagues stay safe and well throughout these challenging times.

“We have a comprehensive coronavirus contingency plan in place, which was created by our clinical director and reflects the latest government guidance. We are working closely with our local health and care partners, and are continuing to take action to secure the medical equipment, supplies and PPE we need to protect residents and colleagues alike.

"We have regional and central hubs of PPE that homes can draw from, and we are also receiving support from the NHS.

“To minimise the risk to residents, since March 12 we restricted all non-essential visitors from our homes, including Callands. This decision was not taken lightly, but we felt it was in the best interests of keeping our residents safe.

"The Government has since confirmed that no one should visit a care home unless there are exceptional circumstances. We are following this latest guidance.

“We are very proud of our colleagues and how they have risen to the challenges of the Covid-19 outbreak. We are also grateful to relatives of our residents for their ongoing support and understanding, many of whom have given us positive comments, praise and thanks over recent days.

“We are also actively recruiting kind and caring individuals to join and support our dedicated team, and make sure that going forward, we continue to have the colleagues required to provide safe and effective care to our residents as this Covid-19 outbreak continues."