STAFF at a nursing home are desperately pleading for help after a suspected outbreak of coronavirus which has lasted for 11 days.

More than three quarters of Oaklands Nursing Home residents, all over the age of 65, are now reportedly displaying symptoms of Covid-19.

Hove MP Peter Kyle is joining families in pleading for urgent intervention as staff “angels” battle to look after sick residents without adequate protection and testing.

Gisella Casciello-Rogers, whose 94-year-old father Giuseppe Casciello has been sick for over a week in the home, said: “I’m waiting by the phone to hear the inevitable – your father is dead.

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“I have just spoken to one of the head nurses and have heard my dad has now gone very, very weak.

“It is a warzone in there, the situation is critical and staff are diminishing by the day.

“On Friday, one of the nurses was in floods of tears as they have had no help – they rang 111 but no one answered.

“What can we do? Sit here and watch the residents die because staff are not getting the help assistance they need?

“This is going to happen across the country. The staff are wonderful, the home is wonderful and they have got into this critical stage.”

The outbreak in the care home in Dyke Road Avenue has been revealed in emails seen by The Argus.

It is understood to have started 11 days ago, but despite pleading for it, the home has been unable to source the proper protective equipment.

One-by-one, and despite the best efforts from managers who were instructing people to self-isolate, residents and staff developed symptoms, including a high fever, coughing and breathing difficulties.

So far, reportedly, seven staff and 16 residents – out of 20 - have come down with symptoms of the virus, which is increasingly fatal to those in older age bracket.

Ms Casciello-Rogers added: “The staff are angels, they are hanging onto these people in the home so they are not burdening hospitals.

“The testing arrived on Saturday, but only three residents, including my dad were tested – we have not heard back.

“We need testing immediately so that staff can come back to work if they are not sick."

When contacted, the Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group pointed to letter from the Department of Health and Social Care.

It reads: “Free distribution of fluid repellent facemasks from the pandemic flu stock will start today , with every care home and home care provider receiving at least 300 facemasks.

“We anticipate the distribution will be complete by next Tuesday."

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Mr Kyle, Labour MP for the area, said: "I'm so concerned by this situation and have escalated the issue to the highest level for an urgent intervention.

"We simply cannot have staff working when they have symptoms, so the care home needs immediate and decisive help.

"Families of the residents are rightly anxious and upset so let's get services and protective equipment into this home today.

"The lack of personal, protective equipment for key workers throughout the NHS is something I've raised at government level.

"Delay in supplies to our care homes, hospitals and doctors is outrageous and dangerous.

“I'm calling for mass production of gowns, masks and gloves before our NHS is brought to its knees because of staff illness."

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving.org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund or call the team on 01273 409440 or email stephen.chamberlain@sussexgiving.org.uk