A Merseyside care home has confirmed that 18 of its residents have died after displaying coronavirus-related symptoms.
St Helens Hall & Lodge Care Home, in Thatto Heath, St Helens, confirmed the tragic news on Friday afternoon.
The home, which is operated by Sandstone Care Group, said it had been "deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic".
The home provides residential care for up to 94 older people and also provides specialist dementia care. It was rated as good by the Care Quality Commission at its last inspection in January 2019.
In a statement, the provider said that it last had a positive test two weeks ago and has started taking new residents after consulting with St Helens Council.
The home did not confirm how many of the residents had received a coronavirus test before they died.
The news comes just days after Paisley Court Care Home in Dovecot said that 20 of its residents had died after showing symptoms of coronavirus.
A spokesperson for Sandstone Care Group, owner St Helens Hall & Lodge Care Home, said: "Like many care homes across the UK we have been deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
"A total of 18 residents at St Helens Hall & Lodge care home have sadly died from Covid-19 related symptoms.
"We have been in close contact with all families concerned and have extended our deepest sympathies to the relatives and friends of those residents who have passed.
"The dedication, care and commitment shown by our staff has been outstanding and inspiring in equal measure.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here.
"We implemented rigorous prevention measures earlier than many care homes we have continued to review and update our procedures throughout the crisis.
"We have been in close liaison with the Care Quality Commission throughout the pandemic and they have confirmed that they have been completely satisfied with all the preventative measures we have taken.
"These have included robust sanitation and hand washing procedures and all staff have self-isolated where appropriate, have had access to Covid-19 specific training and we have ensured adequate supply of appropriate PPE from the outset.
"It is now two weeks since the last positive test at the home and, following consultation with St Helens Council, we have begun admitting new residents again.
"We are extremely grateful to the local authority as well as the Care Quality Commission, Public Health England and the Frailty team who, in particular, have been incredibly supportive, as have the District Nurses."
