Covid-19 outbreak at Wakefield accommodation centre

An outbreak of Covid-19 has been recorded at an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Wakefield.
Urban House on Love Lane.Urban House on Love Lane.
Urban House on Love Lane.

Wakefield Council says it has been working closely with Public Health England, and with the Mears Group which runs Urban House on Love Lane, to manage the 'small' number of cases.

Urban House is an initial accommodation centre for those people who are supported to seek asylum and refuge. It is run by the Mears Group, a housing care provider, under a Home Office contract.

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The affected residents have been isolated and are being treated and supported at another location.

Wakefield Council is setting up a mobile testing unit to test the remaining staff and residents to help limit any further potential spread.

Measures have been put in place to manage the infection risk and no new residents have come to Urban House since the outbreak was identified.

NHS staff continue to provide healthcare to Urban House residents on a daily basis in the same way they have throughout the pandemic.

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Anna Hartley, Wakefield Council’s director of public health, said: “We are aware of a small outbreak of COVID-19 at Urban House.

“Please be reassured that the risk to those in the local area is very low, however, we ask everyone to please continue to follow Government guidance on regular handwashing and social distancing to help keep yourself and others safe. If you are displaying symptoms please get a test by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119.”