OAKRIDGE care home is “not out of the woods” during the pandemic, a conservative councillor has said.

Cllr Liz Fairhurst, executive member for adult social care and health, said: “This has been an exceptionally challenging time for care homes, not only in Basingstoke but across the country, and while we are seeing positive signs in that the overall number of cases of coronavirus in care home settings is reducing, we are most definitely, not out of the woods yet.

“Our Local Authority run homes, including Oakridge, continue to have sufficient quantities of the correct personal protective equipment and we have been working hard to support local independent homes to access what they need, from either national supplies or locally donated kit.

"Within Oakridge and our other homes, we are ensuring that stringent infection control measures remain in place, that symptomatic residents are cared for in separate areas from those who are symptom-free.

"Visiting is restricted by families and loved ones – the exception being ‘end of life’ support which we have provided throughout the pandemic, subject to the appropriate safety measures being put in place by the Registered Manager.”

“Over the past two months, the care team at Oakridge have been phenomenal – and I would like to thank the local community for their on-going support.  It makes a huge difference to our staff, and those for whom they care.”