An outbreak of Covid-19 has been confirmed at a care home in Helston.

The company running Trengrouse nursing home has confirmed that the virus was affecting "a significant number" of residents, as well as some staff.

A number of ambulances were seen outside the home late on Saturday evening.

Anne Thomas, CEO of Cornwall Care, which manages the home, has now said this afternoon: “Unfortunately, I can confirm that a Covid-19 outbreak at our Trengrouse nursing home in Helston is currently affecting a significant number of residents and some staff.

“My team have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep those they are looking after safe and are continuing to do all they can to control the viral spread.

"To that end, some Trengrouse staff with negative test results have volunteered to stay in local accommodation, rather than going home, so they can carry on doing their jobs whilst also protecting their families and Cornwall Care is paying for them to do so. I am so grateful to them for their dedication and commitment."

She went on to say that residents at six of Cornwall Care's 16 homes in Cornwall had now received their first vaccine dose and all the others are due to get theirs in the next week or so.

"Immunisation is our real hope for the future but, in the meantime, our wonderful team is working hard with the support of local health and social care colleagues to get us through this crisis," she added.

Cornwall Council said it was working with the staff and residents of the home, stating: “Together with Public Health England South West and local NHS colleagues, Cornwall Council is supporting staff and residents of Trengrouse nursing home in Helston following an outbreak of Covid-19.

"The home remains closed to visitors and staff are carefully following the detailed guidance that is being provided by Public Health England and the Government.”

No specific number of residents and staff affected has been given by Cornwall Care or the council, for confidentiality reasons.