Behind the scenes pictures show how staff at a Yorkshire care home are dealing with coronavirus

The images give the clearest look yet at how dedicated key workers are tirelessly caring for some of the most vulnerable people in British society.

They emerge the day after the government finally announced that all care home residents and staff in England will be able to access tests, regardless of whether they have symptoms.

Latest figures revealed a third of all coronavirus deaths are now happening in care homes, with a grim figure of 2,000 given for the week ending April 17.

The pictures shown here were taken at Newfield Nursing Home in Sheffield, which like many others in the country has been badly hit by Covid-19.

Earlier this month a newspaper reported that 11 residents at the home had died from the disease.

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it www.facebook.com/groups/yorkshirecoronavirusNewfield is one of three residences in South Yorkshire operated by a provider called Palms Row Health Care, which has around 200 beds and provides nursing and intermediate care.

The company has confirmed 60 of its residents have tested positive for Covid-19 and 18 have sadly died after testing positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic started.

A total of 36 Palm Row staff have also tested positive and another 31 are self-isolating.

Pictures taken yesterday (Apr 28) at Newfield, which has 60 beds, show key workers desperately doing their best for some of Britain's most vulnerable.

All of the photos were taken by a photographer in full PPE, from outside the home and at a safe distance from staff and residents.

Courageous carers can be seen putting on aprons, gloves and masks before going door to door to carry out jobs such as food delivery and personal care.

One particularly poignant photo shows a worker tenderly holding hands with an elderly resident as they sit in the shared living area of the residence.

Another set of amazing images shows a carer sharing a dance with 79-year-old Jack Dodsley, who tested positive for Covid-19 but has since recovered.

The sprightly OAP can be seen joyfully stepping from side to side with a huge smile on his face.

Due to the high number of Newfield staff currently off sick or in isolation many of the people currently working there have been drafted in from agencies.

Recent Office for National Statistics figures show there were 2,053 coronavirus care home deaths in England and Wales in the week ending 17 April, bringing the total to 3,096.

Nicola Richards, director of Palms Row Health Care said: “My thoughts and sympathies go to all families affected by this horrendous disease.

“I know that care home staff across the country are working tirelessly to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and they will be heartbroken by the deaths of each and every person who dies in their care.

“Locally we are now managing the situation at Palms Row Health Care properties with just one additional case reported in the past seven days.

"This is due to infection control measures as well as the fact that the virus hit our care homes earlier than many others.”

Ms Richards said support from Sheffield County Council had improved slightly, however added there are still concerns about short and long term funding.

She said: “We’re managing the situation but only thanks to the tireless hard work of our staff, many of whom have been working 12 hour shifts for weeks.

"We are also grateful to the local community who have helped us through the last few weeks.

"Many care home providers are supporting each other locally and nationally, it really has been touching to see how we have all pulled together."

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