Fifteen residents have died at a UK care home after five tested positive for the coronavirus, Public Health England (PHE) said.
The deaths at the 69-bed Castletroy Residential Home in Luton were described as “heartbreaking” by the leader of Luton Council.
Sultan Salimee, consultant in health protection at PHE East, said experts were working closely with the home to provide advice on how to stop the virus from spreading further.
PHE said it did not recommend testing new cases in care homes when some patients had already tested positive “as it will not change the public health management”.
A PHE spokeswoman was not able to clarify when the deaths had occurred.
In a statement, council leader Hazel Simmons said: “To lose so many residents in one care home is heartbreaking and our love, thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those who have died, as well as the staff at the home.
“The council are supporting the staff at the home and will be offering support to the relatives of all those affected during this very difficult period.
“This tragedy serves as another reminder of how important it is that we all follow the Government guidance and stay at home to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.”
The news comes after the Government's Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty warned that nearly one in 10 care homes nationwide already has registered Covid-19 cases.
Seven residents died with suspected coronavirus infections at the Hawthorn Green Home in Stepney, east London.
Another 21 others are ill with possible symptoms and a dozen staff members are off work, either self-isolating or shielding.
The Department of Health said: “We are working around the clock to give the social care sector the support they need to tackle this outbreak, including providing personal protective equipment to over 26,000 care home providers across the country.”
