Eighteen new Covid-19 cases found at Wakefield accommodation centre

Eighteen new cases of Covid-19 have been recorded at an accommodation centre in Wakefield.
Urban House on Love Lane.Urban House on Love Lane.
Urban House on Love Lane.

Every resident at Urban House on Love Lane has been offered a test on-site over the weekend and over 90 per cent have been tested.

All residents, even the few who have not been tested, are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

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Those who have tested positive have been moved into accommodation that better supports them to self-isolate, to help limit any further potential spread.

Urban House is an initial accommodation centre for those people who are supported to seek asylum and refuge. It is run by the Mears Group, a housing care provider, under a Home Office contract.

As soon as the outbreak was identified, the Mears Group worked quickly to rehome those who were identified as being at higher risk.

The news of the outbreak was released on Friday, with further testing taking place over the weekend.

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Anna Hartley, director for public health, said: “We are treating Urban House as one household, so in-line with government advice to any household where there has been a confirmed case, we are asking all residents to self-isolate for 14 days.

“Action is being taken by Mears as quickly as possible to ensure people are in accommodation that better supports self-isolation.

“I would like to reassure people that risk to those in the local area is very low, however, we ask everyone to please continue to follow Government guidance on regular handwashing and social distancing to help keep yourself and others safe.

“If you are displaying symptoms please get a test by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119.”

NHS staff remain at Urban House and continue to provide healthcare to residents in the same way they have throughout the pandemic.