TRIBUTES are pouring in for staff who work at Pemberley House in Basingstoke where a coronavirus outbreak killed 22 residents in three weeks.

People who read the tragic news first on The Gazette on Wednesday said they have huge respect for the staff who work at the care home.

Many people reacted to the news saying the staff must be devastated now.

One person wrote: “I have connections that work in this care home and I have to say I have huge respect for the staff that work there.

“They still went into work every day knowing it was inevitable that they were going to catch the virus and get sick themselves. They knew they were coming into contact with positive cases and still cared for their residents even though they feared for their own safety.

“I’m sure I speak on their behalf when I say all of our love goes out to the family’s that have lost loved ones and to the staff that are now sick themselves for their selfless acts.”

A number of people were heartbroken by the news and expressed sympathies with the residents and the staff

One person commented: “I can only imagine how the staff feel, bless them.”

People said the staff at care home often take residents into their hearts, which makes it more difficult in such tragic scenarios.

“This is so sad. This must be devastating for the staff. You can’t work in care homes without taking residents into your hearts like family.”

Pemberley House is regarded as ‘one of the loveliest places’ by a lot of people in Basingstoke.

One person said: “Honestly, one of the loveliest places I've ever been to. I miss so many of the lovely ladies and gentlemen there. Would love to come back and sing with all the little babies at Caterpillar Music Basingstoke.”

Another wrote: “Pemberley House is such a lovely care home, my husband’s grandmother was very well taken care of here until she passed away a year ago. This must be absolutely devastating for the staff, residents and their families My thoughts go out to them all.”