Six further deaths from Covid-19 at the Abbotswood care home have been announced.

The deaths bring the total number of coronavirus fatalities among residents at the Ballasalla care home to 12 including one who died in hospital.

Health Minister David Ashford told this afternoon’s press briefing: ’It is my very sad and solemn duty to report that we have six further deaths within the community, all six are related to the Abbotswood cluster.

’It’s an absolutely dreadful time for our community and my heart goes out to all the family and friends of those affected.’He added: 'It's important to emphasise that all six do relate to that cluster.'The DHSC has taken over the running of the private care home after suspending its licence.Mr Ashford said some residents had been transferred to the Newlands unit at Noble's while the care home is being deep cleaned section by section.He confirmed that all the deaths in the community so far have been related to the Abbotswood cluster.The latest fatalities take the Covid death toll in the island to 15.There have been no further confirmed positive tests for coronavirus in the island over the last 24 hours. The total number of confirmed cases remains at 307.In total 272 patients have been instructed to self-isolate and 20 are being treated at the hospital. The contact tracing process is already underway led by Public Health.There have been 2,534 concluded tests, with 120 results awaited.In total 212 individuals are presumed recovered, leaving 80 active confirmed cases.