An outbreak of Covid-19 has been identified at Southlands care home in Port Erin, and its four older persons units are now closed.

The home will not ’support’ any residents leaving for a period lasting until September 27.

There can be no visitors unless essential or in exceptional circumstances, for example end of life.

Two units have identified cases, but Manx Care is closing all four as a precaution whilst surveillance testing and risk mitigation takes place.

The closure does not affect the dementia units; Gansey and Bradda, or the Day Centre as these have separate self-contained entrances.

Manx Care said the closure will be reviewed on a regular basis, and measures will be eased as soon as it is safe to do so.

Permitted visitors must adhere to Covid protocols when entering a Manx Care residential home or unit and have permission from the care home manager.

All other Manx Care homes will be open with minimal restrictions in place for seven days until September 21, when they will be reviewed.

This means that they are currently operating with the following measures:

- Visits sill need booking with the home management but visiting hours will be extended from 10am to 7pm.

- Two visitors will now be allowed at a time, with no time limit on visits.

- All visitors will be asked to carry out a lateral flow test (LFT) at each home prior to the visit (this will now be optional), but all visitors will be required to have their temperature taken on arrival and to comply with PPE and hand hygiene guidance throughout the visit.

Seventeen new cases of Covid-19 were detected in the past 24 hours.

There are currently 215 active cases, with five in hospital.

No one is in ICU.