2,500 people die from coronavirus in care homes in a single WEEK: New data reveals scale of crisis amid calls for a 'ring of steel' around most vulnerable people

More than 2,500 people died from suspected coronavirus in care homes in a single week, new data has suggested.

National Care Forum research shows 299 residents lost their life to the bug at 47 care homes in the week of April 7.

It means around 2,500 will have passed away that week when scaled up to reflect the country's 400,000-strong care home population.

The care provider called for a 'ring of steel' to be put around nursing homes to safeguard residents and staff.

The study predicts around 4,000 people had died in care homes up to April 13, which the government's daily death count has not accounted for because it looks solely at hospital deaths. 

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The Stanley care home (pictured) is one of the worst hit in the country and staff are 'deeply saddened' by the deaths

It comes as tributes were paid to a 96-year-old grandmother who died at care home that has been ravaged by the deadly disease.

Barbara Wells, 96, died at Stanley Park Care Home in County Durham on Monday after contracting the deadly disease.

The Stanley care home is one of the worst hit in the country and staff are 'deeply saddened' by the deaths. 

Barbara Wells (left), 96, died at Stanley Park Care Home in County Durham on Monday after contracting the deadly disease

Paying tribute to Barbara, her granddaughter has defended the home and praised the staff, insisting they will be grieving too.

Elys Poppy, 47, said: 'The community spirit in the home is unbelievable and it was always a pleasure to go in.

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Paying tribute to Barbara, her granddaughter has defended the home and praised the staff, insisting they will be grieving

'Myself and my mother always supported it 100 per cent and the staff there really do love the residents, it is a five star home.

'Grandma's room was always absolutely beautiful, and this is heartbreaking for (the staff) - they will be an emotional wreck as it will feel like losing part of their family.'

Care homes, such as Stanley Park, have been among the deadliest breeding grounds for the virus.

The overwhelming majority of deaths occur in older patients with underlying health conditions.

But business owner Elys insisted in her grandma's case, staff at the Stanley home were faultless.

She is planning on launching a charity in her 'amazing' grandmother's memory, aimed at giving back to the staff who are 'putting their lives on the line'.

She added: 'Grandma absolutely loved everyone there, and everyone there loved grandma.

'They all deserve a helping hand, as there have been so many horrible thing which have happened there and it would be nice to give something back to the staff who truly deserve some encouragement.'

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The charity, she hopes, will be called 'Carnations for Cares' - in memory of Barbara's favourite flowers.

On a JustGiving page created to kickstart the cause, Elys wrote: 'For as long as I can remember she always had carnations in the house, in fact it was the only flower she ever used to have, and pink were her favourite.

QUARTER OF ALL CORONAVIRUS DEATHS IN SCOTLAND OCCUR IN A CARE HOME 

Official figures revealed yesterday a quarter of all coronavirus deaths in Scotland have been in care homes. 

Data from the National Records of Scotland showed 962 people diagnosed with, or suspected of having, COVID-19 had died.

Of those, 237 (24.6 per cent) were in care homes, 586 in hospitals, 128 in homes and one in an undisclosed location.

The figure was five times higher than the 5 per cent number given by the Office for National Statistics, which collates data in England and Wales. 

The ONS statistics also showed that another 5 per cent of deaths had been recorded outside of hospitals, such as in hospices.  

The Department of Health figures are affected by a backlog in hospital recordings, meaning that hundreds of deaths are not registered to be counted. 

'When I investigated the symbolism of this flower, I found that it symbolises 'gratitude' and since gratitude is what we feel for these carers we thought it was very appropriate.'

The home's 14th death was reported on Friday when a resident passed away after being transferred to hospital with the virus.

It has previously said that although all had shown symptoms of coronavirus, only one had tested positive for the virus.

Care UK, which runs the home, did not comment when approached. 

But a spokesman previously said although all had shown symptoms of coronavirus, only one had tested positive.

They added: 'Our team at the home continue to be brilliant - they are working so hard to care for all the residents and each other.'

Those comments were echoed by Care UK's Regional Director Karen Morrison, who said staff had used sufficient PPE during the crisis.

She said: 'The manager and her team at the home continue to be absolutely amazing and I cannot thank them enough.

'Despite all that has happened, they continue to deliver the very best care in a kind and professional way.

'Their determination and commitment to support every resident, and each other, through these very challenging times is incredible.'

Elys, who would visit her grandmother almost every day at the home she loved, agreed.

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The NCF collected data from 47 care homes which support more than 30,000 people across the UK, accounting for 7.4 per cent of the care sector population. Pictured: Medics outside Berelands Care Home, Prestwick, last week where 20 of its residents died due to suspected coronavirus