BASINGSTOKE’S MP has reacted to the ‘tragic loss’ of at least 22 residents of Pemberley House care home to coronavirus by urging people to ‘take up the offer’ of the vaccine.

Speaking to the Gazette, Maria Miller MP said: “My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have so tragically died in Pemberley House in the past few weeks and indeed everyone who has lost a loved one through this pandemic. Every single loss will have a profound effect on those who are grieving.

“One of the hallmarks of the coronavirus pandemic over the past year has been the cruel way in which it has hit the most vulnerable residents in every community, very elderly, frail people who are living in care homes. That is why from the start of the vaccine programme care home residents have been the top priority to receive a vaccine. In the last month every Basingstoke care home has been visited by the vaccine team and every care home resident has been offered a vaccination. Those who may not have been able to receive the vaccinate straight away, perhaps because of an outbreak in the home, will be a priority to receive it as soon as possible.

“As soon as the priority groups have been vaccinated by mid February it is important that the programme continues to roll out to the rest of the community because vaccination is the only way we have to beat this virus; and for it to work most effectively we need the whole population to be vaccinated.”

Mrs Miller said she has been working to ensure that Basingstoke’s vaccine roll-out is as efficient as possible, adding: “The tragic loss of life at Pemberley House over the past few weeks shows how important it is to get this vulnerable group vaccinated as soon as possible. I have been having meetings with Ministers and local NHS providers over the past six weeks to ensure Basingstoke residents are vaccinated as quickly as possible. I understand that Hampshire’s vaccine rollout plan is one of the most advanced in the country.

“I know that the public health team at Hampshire County Council are in contact with Pemberley House to support staff and residents at such a difficult time.”

Sending a message to people in Basingstoke about how they can best support the town’s recovery from the virus moving forwards, she said: “An outbreak of this scale is deeply concerning for the whole community, particularly given the use of tests amongst care home staff to identify individuals who might be asymptomatic.

“It is absolutely clear that we can never forget this virus is a killer and all of us have a responsibility to follow the rules, staying at home, to help reduce infection rates as quickly as possible.

“And when it’s our turn to have the vaccine, we need as many people as possible in the community to take up that offer.”