Isha Sesay
SIX elderly nursing home residents have reportedly died of coronavirus in just 24 hours in Mallorca.
The total number of fatalities at the Bell Entorn Residence in Soller now stands at eight and there have been 116 people diagnosed with COVID-19, according to the Balearic Ministry of Health.
Out of these positive diagnoses, 83 are elderly residents, 50 of whom are now hospitalised.
This makes up almost half of the total number of residents living at Bell Entorn which cares for 152 people.
The remaining 33 diagnoses are employees at the nursing home.
The outbreak has led to the Ministry ordering the immediate intervention of the Mallorcan Institute of Social Affairs (IMAS).
Officials explained that this decision was taken due to ‘the high number of people affected’ and because ‘the actions taken by the centre to control the spread of the virus has been insufficient.’
According to Ultima Hora, many of the residents had already been suffering with nutritional problems or dehydration before becoming infected.
From this point towards, IMAS health professionals will control all healthcare activity at the centre.
This includes the total management of staff who ‘must abide by their instructions, orders and provisions.’
This intervention will last a minimum of 20 days and will include frequent medical assessments of the residents.
It comes after an outbreak of coronavirus at the Sant Joan Senior Centre in Manacor led to the deaths of six elderly residents.
Officials say the outbreak was first detected after an employee began to experience symptoms of the virus.
