Four people have died in less than month at a care home after catching coronavirus.

The residents were living at Gavin Astor House, which is part of the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) Village, in Aylesford.

The disease has spread to other residents in the home, but the exact number is not yet known.

In response, care home employees and residents have been prioritised for tests, staffing numbers and infection control measures have increased and more PPE has been bought in.

Last Thursday, the RBLI said that two people who had tested positive for the virus were being treated in Maidstone Hospital and were "doing well" with no need for ventilators.

Their condition now is not known.

The RBLI also confirmed last week that six residents were displaying "mild" symptoms and were being cared for in the home. Their current condition is also unknown.

An 89-year-old woman died after contracting the disease on April 6, followed by a 70-year-old man who passed away over the Easter weekend.

RBLI reported the two other deaths today but it is not known when the deaths occurred.

A spokesman for the RBLI said: "RBLI continues to provide housing, care and welfare to over 250 Veterans and others with disabilities and health conditions within our diverse multigenerational community.

"It is with great sadness that we can confirm that, since the start of the pandemic, four residents of Gavin Astor House, our high dependency care home, have died having been diagnosed with COVID-19. Our thoughts are with the families and their relatives at this time.

"Our residents and staff have been prioritised for testing and we have boosted staffing levels, infection control measures, increased PPE, and family communication in response, as well as working closely with Public Health England.

'There are other residents who have tested positive and they are being cared for and closely monitored...'

"There are other residents who have tested positive and they are being cared for and closely monitored by our dedicated care team in consultation with health professionals.

"Our care team continues to provide phenomenal 24-hour care to our residents in Gavin Astor House. They are working tirelessly to make life in isolation as positive as possible and we are all very proud of them.

"Our social enterprise factory remains open as wooden pallets and signage are both vital to the national supply chain, for food and medicine distribution.

"Our social enterprise is also a local food distribution hub. Additionally our veterans are proud to be manufacturing and dispatching a special edition commemorative product for VE Day on 8 May.

"RBLI recently set up the email address supportcarers@rbli.co.uk to allow members of the public to send their messages of support to our care team. We have had a fantastic response and want to encourage more.

"At the same time we set up the address isolation@rbli.co.uk so the public can send messages of encouragement to the veterans and we have already had over 100 responses from the public."

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