Care home staff have spoken out on how they have managed to avoid the surge in Covid-19 cases seen in other homes.

Edward Moore House Residential Care Home in Gravesend has recorded just one case to date – a resident who didn’t show any symptoms and was tested in hospital.

Managing the outbreak of the coronavirus which hit care homes across the county has been seen as one of the pandemic's biggest challenges.

Melanie Martin, deputy manager at the Trinity Road residential care home, said it had been difficult but staff had worked hard to keep it "business as usual".

"At the outbreak of Covid-19, I knew it was going to be a difficult few months, but I felt positive and assured, as we’ve always worked so well as a team here," she said.

"I knew we would all rally around and just do what we needed to do.

She added: “I’m so proud of us all, we’ve really kept it ‘business as usual’, despite some staff really suffering with anxiety, they’ve carried on and done a great job, as they know the residents need them."

But the pandemic has not been without its worries for staff, as Christine Boswell, activity coordinator at the home, explains.

"At the beginning of lockdown, I was in on a Saturday shift and we thought one of the residents may have the virus, as she was showing symptoms," she said.

"Understandably the team were worried and anxious as this was all new, but I was amazed by how well we all supported one another.”

She went on to add how kitchen staff rallied and made everyone hot chocolate as the team talked through the next steps.

"Thankfully, the resident didn’t have the virus and it ended up being a really lovely day," she said.

"I think lockdown has definitely made us appreciate each other more, we’re like one big family and we really mean a lot to one another.”

Emotional support has been crucial, adds Mel, who said staff had supported one another during this time and worked to make the care home a safe place for both themselves and the residents.

She said: "The majority of staff agreed that they felt safer at work than once they left for the day, we’re in our bubble here and we have some normality, as the residents need us no matter what is going on outside, so nothing has really changed too much.

“The morale has improved a lot from the first few weeks, everyone was naturally a bit frazzled at the beginning, but slowly we’ve built them back up."

“I felt totally safe at work.” Christine agreed, “I have to get the bus in and that does worry me but once I’m here, I’m so relaxed.

"We’re singing as we’re working and checking in on one another, I’ve definitely realised how precious my team are.”

Cheer and good feeling among staff has also been filtering through to the residents through some crafty interventions.

Care home workers said they had struggled with the wearing of masks because it meant residents could not see their smiling faces.

In response, Mel printed off lots of red smiling lips and stuck them on the masks.

"Little things like that cheer us up and keep us going," she said.

The care home manager added she avoided watching or reading the news which she did not believe was a reflection of their own experience at Edward Moore.

She said it would take time for the public to trust homes are safe again but things were starting to return to normal with visits now taking place.

It means loved ones who haven't seen relatives for more than three months can come and see them in the garden under a marquee, while stood two metres apart.

"That will be really special after such a long time apart," Mel added.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend