Police inquiries into deaths at the Abbotswood care home are continuing.

A total of 20 Abbotswood residents died following an outbreak of coronavirus at the home.

Two separate investigations were launched into the running of the Ballasalla-based home.

But these were put on hold by the Department of Health and Social Care in June after it was decided to call in the police to investigate.

A police spokesman confirmed: ’The enquiry is still ongoing.’

An independent investigation was launched in May on behalf of the Registration and Inspection Unit, which is responsible for ensuring that care services comply with regulations.

A separate review was also being carried out by the safeguarding board.

Both have been halted after externally appointed investigators working as part of the R&I investigation recommended referral to the Manx Constabulary for consideration as to whether potential offences have been committed.

At the height of the virus’s spread, 47 out of 52 residents contracted Covid-19.

The DHSC took over the running of the home after its licence was suspended.

Remaining residents were subsequently moved out of the home after the DHSC rejected the owner’s offer of a lease.

Health Minister David Ashford said: ’All investigations are currently on hold until the police have investigated the matter.

’While a police investigation is ongoing all other investigations have to halt.’

Mr Ashford told Tynwald in June that the owners of Abbotswood offered to sell it to government for £6.3m - but with a raft of conditions attached.

He said that price was a ’significant deviation’ to the figure given by the government valuer.

Mr Ashford said the department would only have had the option to purchase if it had entered into a lease.

Abbotswood Medical Ltd lodged an appeal against the suspension of its registration.