Six care homes and 14 daycare centres have been affected in the latest wave of coronavirus infections, a Government spokeswoman said.

She added that a dozen of the childcare facilities had closed.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said on Sunday that “several” of the island’s long-term care homes had Covid-19 outbreaks that involved staff and patients.

A ministry spokeswoman added: “The Ministry of Health does not provide names of specific care homes.

“However, a proportion of staff and residents are affected in six out of the island’s 19 care homes.

“The care home teams at the affected care homes are communicating directly with the families of these residents regularly.”

"Enhanced surveillance” measures, including quarantines, were introduced at the impacted homes.

The health ministry spokeswoman said: “During this latest wave, 14 daycare centres have been affected: 12 had to close with many reopened recently or are due to re-open soon.

“Children and caregivers may only re-enter the programme if they are healthy and are not under public health instructions to be quarantined or self-isolated.”

She explained: “In the event of a confirmed case of the virus in a child care facility or home setting, the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit and the Child Care Regulation Programme are contacted and provide guidance of the next steps for the programme.”