Care homes across Cornwall have been hit by outbreaks of Covid. One home has confirmed it is grappling with a "very challenging time" while officials have confirmed other homes are also full of the illness. Rivermead View in Looe a 34-bed residential care home which offers 24-hour support and care for adults over the age of 65, confirmed the outbreak of Covid-19.

It comes as the number of cases has grown steadily in Cornwall over the past few weeks, especially during the recent cold snap. Rivermead View Care Home, originally Tregertha Court Hotel, was built over 60 years ago and provides full residential and respite care. It stands on the main station road overlooking the estuary and enjoys stunning views of Looe.

While not going into details about how many of its staff or residents have been ill, it is understood that the latest outbreak has put a serious strain on the care home with some agency staff having to be brought in to help where staff are at home sick and isolating.

Nicola Hemsley, operations director with Cornwallis Care Services, which runs Rivermead View as well as other care homes in St Austell, St Ives, Tywardreath, Lostwithiel and Callington, said it was a "very challenging time for all involved".

Cornwallis also operates nursing homes in St Agnes and Par. It didn't confirm whether any of its other care homes also have had outbreaks. However Cornwall Council has said several homes all over the county have had outbreaks and are being supported by its services.

Ms Hemsley said: "With the impact of the current growth in Covid infection rates in Cornwall, Cornwallis Care Services confirms that it is experiencing s a current Covid outbreak at Rivermead View Care Home.

"All residents and staff are fully vaccinated and Rivermead View Care Home is working openly, in well-established protocols, with the local authorities, including Public Health England, Cornwall Council and Care Quality Commission. This is a very challenging time for all involved and we very much appreciate the dedication of our staff team as they strive to maintain a continuity of excellent safe care for their residents."

According to NHS England and Government's official figures, there were 313 declared Covid cases in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the seven days to December 10, a rise of 91 on the previous seven days or a 41% increase.

A spokesman for Cornwall Council said: "As has been the case throughout the pandemic, the council’s public health and adult social care teams continue to offer advice and support for any care home experiencing an outbreak of Covid. There are a number of homes currently dealing with outbreaks. This is to be expected due to the general increase in community transmission seen across the country as people socialise more indoors."