NEARLY 30 people have died in care homes on the Isle of Wight due to coronavirus.

And almost 180 people have contracted it in Island care homes.

In statistics released today (Tuesday 2 June) and covering until May 22, the number of care home deaths registered by the local authority, and caused by Covid-19, had reached 29 — an increase of six since the last time the numbers were released.

Data, published by the Office for National Statistics each week, breaks down the numbers of deaths at hospital, home, in care homes or in the hospice.

Because of the way the data is reported, figures may change.

Figures for week 20, the week ending May 15, showed 23 registered deaths in care homes due to Covid-19, but increased for week 21, the week ending May 22.

The number of people who died at home (three) and in hospice (one) have remained the same.

In a report published yesterday by the Isle of Wight Council, between the beginning of March and May 14, the height of the pandemic, 178 people living in the Island's care homes had contracted the disease.

Latest figures published by Public Health England found that nearly 40 per cent of the 75 care, nursing or residential homes on the Isle of Wight had reported outbreaks of the virus.

However, no death due to COVID-19 has occurred at the Island's only hospital, St Mary's, since May 25. Its figure still stands at 38.

Overall, on the Island, 71 people have died due to Covid-19.