The health department has taken over the running of a Covid-hit private care home where up to 20 staff and residents have tested positive for the virus.

Health Minister David Ashford announced the move at a press briefing yesterday evening (Tuesday).

It comes after Abbotswood care home boss Zandra Lewis made a desperate appeal for help over the Easter weekend after residents and staff developed symptoms of coronavirus.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care has now confirmed that up to 20 staff and residents have tested positive.

She said ’two or three’ residents had been taken to Noble’s but one had subsequently been discharged.

A death at the home last week was not related to Covid, she said.

The Health Minister told reporters that his department had taken over the running of the home from 5pm on Monday. ’We felt it was appropriate to step in,’ he said.

The DHSC took over after the care home’s licence was suspended.

Staff have been provided by the DHSC and the voluntary sector in a variety of roles including infection control, nursing and managerial support.

One of the confirmed cases is a 91-year-old resident at Abbotswood who is believed to be the island’s oldest Covid patient.