130-bed care home for elderly in Milton Keynes is in lockdown after resident shows signs of coronavirus

Willows Care Home in Great Linford is working closely with Public Health England and following all official guidance.

All relatives of residents at the home have been contacted and asked not to visit until further notice.

"This is in order to give vulnerable people the best possible chance and to mitigate the risk to this client group," said a spokesman for Excelcare, which runs the 130-bed home.

Willows,based in Heathercroft, has a nursing care section for frail and elderly patients and another for residents with dementia.

The spokesman said; "We are of course treating this situation with the upmost seriousness and sensitivity and are currently and, since the initial news of the Covid-19 infection broke in the UK, have been applying comprehensive measures to protect all residents, visitors and team members from infection."

He added: "We have also kept all staff updated and reinforced the government’s guidance around monitoring of their own health; along with the symptoms that they need to be aware of and also the self-isolation process.

"We are very fortunate to have a committed and dedicated team that will do all they can in the interim to keep residents safe, entertained and comfortable. We have also increased the use of technology to enable residents to keep in touch with their loved one via digital communication such as Skype, FaceTime or video calling.

"Our foremost priority during the national pandemic coronavirus outbreak is the wellbeing of our residents, relatives and colleagues; and we really appreciate all their support with the current situation and measures that we have put in place; which reflect the most current guidance and advice published by the UK Government and Public Health (England) and Public Health (Wales). Please be assured the health and welfare of our residents, visitors and team is our number one priority.

"Should anyone wish to contact us about their loved one’s care or our management of Covid-19; they can email us on [email protected] and we will respond promptly; as we truly understand that this is a difficult time for all."