THE Tories are presiding over a “national scandal” in care homes, where recorded deaths of elderly residents from coronavirus have increased tenfold in one week. 

Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures published today showed that in the week to April 3, 217 people in care homes in England and Wales died from the virus, compared with 23 the previous week. 

The government confirmed on Monday evening that over 2,000 care homes have suffered coronavirus outbreaks. But care sector leaders warn that the true number of deaths is still likely to be far higher. Last week, Care England, the industry’s representative body, estimated the death toll at about 1,000.